Open Computing Facility (OCF) at UC Berkeley

Business Profile

Core Value Proposition

Open Computing Facility (OCF) provides free and open-source computing services for UC Berkeley students, faculty, and staff, including a computer lab, hosting services, shell accounts, printing, and high-performance computing.

Target Customer

UC Berkeley students, faculty, staff, and student organizations that require computing resources, hosting, and support on campus.

Key Differentiator

Volunteer-run, ASUC-chartered facility focused on free, open-source computing with extensive on-campus resources (lab, GPU HPC, web/email hosting) and a strong community support model led by student staff.

Implementation Timeline

Access to services is available via the lab during open hours; onboarding and staff involvement are ongoing, with Fall 2025 onboarding for new staff mentioned. CalNet/CAS authentication is used for sign-in.

Pain Points

1Limited access to free or affordable computing resources for the campus community
2Need for an accessible, long-hours computer lab with in-person support
3Need for free hosting, printing, and shell accounts for student groups and individuals

Key Features

1On-site computer lab located at 171 MLK Student Union with Linux-based workstations
2Free web hosting and free email hosting for thousands of members and student groups
3Free UNIX shell accounts on Debian-based servers (staff get private VMs)
4Free printing with scanners and office-grade hardware in the lab
5High-performance computing on a GPU server and software mirrors

Target Customer Industries

Client Results

1Access to free computing resources for the campus community
2Free printing services for UC Berkeley students
3Web and email hosting available for thousands of OCF members
4Unix shell accounts and access to high-performance computing resources

Competitive Advantages

1Zero-cost computing resources for campus users
2Open-source, Linux-based infrastructure and software
3Long operating hours for the on-campus computer lab
4GPU-based high-performance computing and GPU server access
5Volunteer-driven model with ASUC charter and public board meetings

Key Benefits

1No-cost access to computing resources for campus members

2Comprehensive on-campus lab with long hours and in-person support

3Free web and email hosting for thousands of members

4Free shell accounts and access to HPC resources

Additional Product Information

Product Description

An all-volunteer student organization that provides free computing services to UC Berkeley students, faculty, and staff, including a lab, web/email hosting, shell accounts, printing, and high-performance computing resources, all based on GNU/Linux and open-source software.

Target Market

UC Berkeley campus community (students, faculty, staff) and student groups requiring computing, hosting, and IT-support services

Unique Value Proposition

Free, open-source computing resources delivered by a volunteer student team within an ASUC-chartered program, with a large on-campus lab and GPU HPC capability.

Technical Requirements

CalNet authentication (CAS) login required; cookies must be enabled for single sign-on; access via Debian-based servers; SSH/SFTP access; Debian/Linux-based lab and servers; on-site lab located at 171 MLK Student Union.

Pricing Model

Free for UC Berkeley students, faculty, staff, and student groups; services are provided by the student organization and ASUC as a chartered program

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