bwCloud terms of use

With the bwCloud´s change to a regulated statewide system and an increasing number of users, we would like to remind users of our terms of use. This research infrastructure is primarily aimed at science and teaching, with restricting conditions regarding the general availability (compared to services like the RZV virtualization at the University IT Services for example).

Registration is necessary to use the bwCloud infrastructure. This is connected to the bwIDM (federal identity management of universities in Baden-Württemberg), which is why in principle all members of the universities in Baden-Württemberg may use the bwCloud. The registration for the bwCloud is managed centrally through a server of the University of Freiburg.

Who may use the bwCloud?

Basic restrictions on the usage (for example members of teaching and learning institutions of the state) are due to the appropriation of the institutions that run the service and the material restrictions that the infrastructure operators are bound to.

The usage of the service is restricted to activities that for instance arise from studies from teaching and learning events or research by scientists at state institutions. By signing up for this service, users accept the terms of use.
Currently, there is no time limit on the scope of usage. This is due to the fact that the infrastructure is gradually becoming more operative, which means that the current efforts are aimed at carrying the infrastructure and the service into a controlled operation. This includes for instance the development of routines for the regular maintenance of the infrastructure.
The gradual introduction of the controlled operation will bring a timed scope of usage for the various types of usage which, regarding students for example, could result from the semester cycle.
Binding commitments regarding the availability or the performance of virtual machines cannot be made.
So far only „naked“ systems have been made available. If needed, application software must be installed individually by the users. Should the software be subject to licensing, the license terms of the software provider should be considered.
Users must take care of the backup of the data processed and saved on the system themselves.

Who *cannot* use the bwCloud?

Following restrictions exist on the usage of the bwCloud:

persons that are not members of an institution in Baden-Württemberg
accounts that are shared by multiple people (functional accounts)

are excluded from the usage of the bwCloud.

What may the bwCloud be used for?

The purpose of the usage of the bwCloud arises directly from the focus of the activities of the authorized users as well as from the nature of the support of the hardware. This means that the bwCloud may be used exclusively for

matters of teaching, research, and studies,
scientifically or research relevant activities and purposes or
teaching, science, and research supporting purposes, for example in the area of infrastructure facilities and services.

This includes for instance the operation of websites, software for the organization of projects or the operation of environments for the execution of certain calculations.

What may the bwCloud *not* be used for?

Generally, the bwCloud may not be used or offered for the purpose of further commercial utilization, which means that no resources of the bwCloud may be passed on to, directly sold to or rented out to third parties or given away unauthorized, unless according authorization has been given.
The bwCloud may also not be used for non-commercial purposes that are not directly connected to research, teaching or operations or to the beforementioned purposes, unless according authorization has been given.
Generally the bwCloud may not be used in a manner that goes against the mission or the purpose of the own institution/organization or the institution/organization of the bwCloud operating facilities.
The bwCloud may not be used for (personal/individual/organizational) enrichment or the generation of profits, for instance through the use of cryptocurrency programs (“miner”).
The bwCloud may not be used for the storage or processing of personal data. The bwCloud may not be used for the operation of virtual machines or Microsoft Windows-based servers. The bwCloud should not be used for the storage of sensitive or confidential data.

The updated terms of use can always be found on the websites of the statewide systems.