CISER Billing FAQ: Charges, Billing, and Payment Options
- Can I track my usage?
- Will every user receive a bill?
- When will I be billed?
- What are my payment options?
- What are the pay-as-you-go rates?
- What does a $12,000 subscription buy?
- Can multiple users share a subscription?
- Is there a deadline for choosing my payment option?
- Is disk use charged separately?
- How can I track my current disk use?
- How is disk use measured?
- Is there a separate fee for backup of files stored on CISER’s systems?
- What can I do to reduce my computing costs?
- Will CISER help me find someone with whom I can share a subscription?
Return to complete list of "CISER Billing Frequently Asked Questions"
Can I track my computing usage?
Yes. Usage statistics are updated each night. Using your Cornell netid and password, you may log on to http://ciser.cornell.edu/beta/usage to check your latest computing use activity at any time. You should receive an e-mail alert from CISER before you exceed your $400 subsidy per account.
GO BACKWill every user receive a bill?
No, only users who have exceeded the $400 per-user computing use subsidy and are not covered by a subscription, will receive a bill.
GO BACKWhen will I be billed?
Near the end of the fiscal year, you will be contacted.
GO BACKWhat are my payment options?
Using a Cornell University department account number you can either pay-as-you-go or purchase a subscription for your computing (i.e. system process) use.
GO BACKWhat are the pay-as-you-go rates?
Pay-as-you-go rates for computing (system process) use were set by the Faculty Advisory Committee based on the estimated capacity of ¼ of a state-of-the-art server in CISER’s computing cluster.
| System Usage Category | Rate |
|---|---|
| CPU Minutes | $ .0125 / min. |
| Memory MB Minutes | $ .00005 / mb. / min. |
| Application Load Time | $ .0005 / min. |
| I/O MB Used | $ .0000007 / mb. |
What does a $12,000 subscription buy?
A $12,000 annual subscription includes system process usage up to the limit in one or more of the categories listed below. Usage in excess of any one of the parameters shown below will be charged at the pay-as-you-go rate unless you choose to purchase an additional subscription.
| System Usage Category | Units | Maximum Value* |
|---|---|---|
| CPU Minutes / Year | 2,160,000 | $ 27,000 |
| Memory MB Minutes / Year | 1,200,000,000 | $ 60,000 |
| Application Load Time | 540,000 | unlimited** |
| I/O MB Used | 88,440,000,000 | $ 61,908 |
*As computed according to pay-as-you-go rates
** During active use GO BACK
Can multiple users share a subscription?
Yes. Any number of users may join together to buy one or more subscriptions. If you wish to share a subscription with other faculty members but are unable to find someone with whom to share, CISER will assist you. Write to ciser@cornell.edu.
GO BACKIs there a deadline for choosing my payment option?
Yes, you will have until December 15, 2009 to choose either the pay-as-you-go or subscription option for your system process usage for July 1, 2009– June 30, 2010.
GO BACKIs disk use charged separately?
Yes. Every computing account will be allocated 10 GB of disk use at no charge. Backup of the data is included (but is not counted as part of the 10 GB total). Users may rent additional disk use based on the tables below. Prices include backup.
CISERRSCH or CRADC*
| Disk Use | Annual Rent |
|---|---|
| < 10 GB | Free |
| < 50 GB | $ 100 |
| < 500 GB | $ 400 |
| < 1 TB | $ 800 |
| < 1.5 TB | $ 1,200 |
*revised 6/17/2008. CRADC disk rental rates are now equivalent to CISERRSCH rates (earlier statements listed them at two times the CISERRSCH rate).
GO BACKHow can I track my current disk use?
Right-click on the folder icon at the top level of your home directory (example: user "cam6_TH" would right-click on the folder icon for "U:\user6\cam6_TH") and choose the "properties" tab. Then, under the "general" tab look at the "size on disk" number. That is how much data you have stored in your home directory.
How is disk use measured?
Disk use is captured at least once a week and averaged over time. Please see our Tips for CISER Computing for suggestions for safely minimizing your disk use.
Is there a separate fee for backup of files stored on CISER’s systems?
No, our disk rental charges include backup, as long as the data are stored in the user's home directory. (Data stored inappropriately, as on the “desktop” of any Research node, or in temporary “scratch” space on the T:\ drives, are not backed up.)
GO BACKWhat can I do to reduce my computing costs?
Please see our Tips for CISER Computing to learn how to get the most use for the least amount of money when using CISER Computing systems. Our goal is to help you do your research by providing you with excellent computing resources for the least cost.
Will CISER help me find someone with whom I can share a subscription?
Yes, if you would like to participate in a CISER subscription but have had no luck finding other faculty with whom to share, please write to ciser@cornell.edu.