A Model for Managing Multi-Tenant Research Databases

Relational databases provide an essential functionality that is utilized by a range of academic disciplines, however, managing a secure and reliable relational database management system (RDBMS) can be both challenging and expensive. The Research Database Complex (RDC) at Indiana University (IU) provides database as a service (DBaaS), allowing researchers to utilize this fundamental technology without having to bear the associated costs and risks. In this paper we discuss the history of the RDC and how this model has evolved into a collaboration between IU's Research Technologies and Enterprise Systems in order to deliver a highly cost-effective, reliable, and secure service for the research community.