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
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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