“ICT data center ablaze disrupting digital-based services” is likely not what Udayana University wanted to be known for. Yet, here we are in front of the GDLN Building. It is a stark reminder that even the most modern facilities are vulnerable. This GDLN Building stands on the Sudirman Campus of Udayana University in Denpasar.
Let’s step back to July 16, 2024. It was an ordinary Tuesday. At 13:40 Wita, the unthinkable happened. A fire broke out in the GDLN Building. The fire ravaged the second floor. This floor housed the ICT data center. The consequences were immediate. Digital services at Udayana University faced disruption. Imagine the chaos.
The Denpasar City Fire Department responded quickly. They extinguished the blaze. Police, BPBD, PLN, and other agencies also arrived. The fire also reached the roofs of two ‘Pelinggih’ buildings. These were located west of the GDLN Building at the Maha Widya Amrta Temple. Fortunately, no one was hurt. However, the losses were substantial.
The Rector of Unud, Prof Ngakan Suardana, went to the scene. He appealed for calm. He asked for moral support. He thanked the first responders. Udayana University promised immediate action. They would address the fire’s impact. A limited meeting was held. Leaders discussed the next steps. A circular was issued about the ICT service disruption.
The USDI Team swung into action. They coordinated to restore ICT services. Backup Data was stored in the USDI Building on Jimbaran Campus. The Unud Website was restored within two hours. This provided information about the disruption. Servers and network devices were moved. They went to the USDI Building in Jimbaran. This saved application data. It supported higher education.
Dr Ir Dewa Made Wiharta, ST., MT, leads the USDI Team. They cleaned servers and network devices. They removed water and ash. Data and application recovery began. This used Backup Data from the USDI Datacenter. Data was recovered from the servers. Services like Web Unud and IMISSU Dashboard came back. Video conference applications also returned.
Efforts continued over the next two days. E-Payment, E-Registration, UTBK System, and SIMDOS services were activated. The USDI Team worked tirelessly. They even worked through the weekend. Their goal was to recover all data. They wanted to restore ICT services.
According to a Satpam, I Wayan Agus Purnawan, the power went out. A genset outside the GDLN Building had exploded. After 30 minutes power was restored. It came from a backup genset. Then smoke appeared. The fire department was called.
Police investigated after the fire was put out. The fire’s origin was traced to the USDI staff room. It was on the second floor. Preliminary findings suggested an electrical short circuit.
Ni Nyoman Dewi Pascarini, Head of the Public Communication Unit of Unud, described the building’s contents. There was a server room. There was a radio room. There was a distance learning facility. There was also a broadcast room. The fire affected the server room. This disrupted data and the Unud website. The Integrated Management Information System of Unud faced issues. The imissu.unud.ac.id website became inaccessible.
Rector Unud Ngakan Putu Gede Suardana estimated data recovery would take a week. He hoped it would be faster. The data was backed up in Jimbaran.
The GDLN Building fire serves as a reminder. We must have fire safety measures. We need emergency response protocols. The university is committed to recovery. Lessons learned will prevent future incidents. The safety of the university’s infrastructure is crucial.