Public cloud

ICT offers a public cloud storage solution through Microsoft Azure.

What is Microsoft Azure?

Azure is a collection of integrated cloud services that developers and IT professionals use to build, deploy, and manage applications through a global network of data centres. Azure gives you the freedom to build and deploy where you want, using the tools, applications, and frameworks of your choice.

Imperial has an enterprise agreement with Microsoft, and ICT can offer departments subscriptions in our tenancy, Imperial College London (ImperialLondon.onmicrosoft.com). The agreement covers departments in all faculties, as well as Professional Services.

How much does it cost?

If you are a student, you are entitled to $100 of free credit with Microsoft Azure - you can activate this on the Azure website.

Azure is a chargeable service for staff and this depends on what features you use. Use the Microsoft Azure pricing calculator to estimate the costs for your needs.

If you choose Azure, you will be cross-charged internally according to your use.

What are the benefits of Azure?

  • Single sign-on (using your Imperial username and password)
  • Role-based access
  • Preferred pricing
  • Connectivity to the Imperial network, subject to security review
  • Disposable infrastructure
  • In-house expertise (ICT)
  • Access to Microsoft Defender

Requesting Azure and getting support

To request access to Microsoft Azure, please complete our dedicated ASK form.

Once you have access to Azure, you can raise support requests directly with Microsoft by selecting the Help button in the top right corner of the Azure portal (pictured below).

 

Useful links

If you have questions about Azure, please contact the Cloud team at ictcloud@imperial.ac.uk.

 

Amazon Web Services (AWS) at Imperial

ICT does not currently have an AWS Landing Zone and has few defined services. A number of research groups at Imperial have AWS accounts and consume services independently.

ICT is interested in setting up a landing zone, in order to:

  • Allow consumers to use their Imperial accounts via single sign-on.
  • Improve role-based access and lifecycle management for user access.
  • Enable the wider university to benefit from our One Government Value Agreement discount (21% off standard educational pricing).

ICT is interested to hear what existing and potential consumers of AWS outside of ICT would like to see in a proposed landing zone, so please contact the ICT Cloud Team at ictcloud@imperial.ac.uk to discuss this with the team.