The Academic Cloud is a modular service portal available throughout Germany for universities, colleges, and research institutions. As a shared platform, it enables the provision, further development, and use of digital services across institutional boundaries and supports cross-institutional collaboration.

Structure of Academic Cloud

An illustration that visually depicts the modular structure of the Academic Cloud. It shows several building blocks arranged one above the other. At the bottom is a large block labeled ‘Academic Cloud Basis,’ which contains core services such as Filesender, Pad, URL Shortener, Mastodon, and a QR code generator. Above it are additional building blocks for various functional areas such as teaching, communication, research, AI, teams, and data management. Within these areas, example services such as Meet, Matrix, Survey, Cocalc, Chat AI, Chemotion, and Files are depicted. In the upper right corner, additional gray building blocks are visible, suggesting the possibility of further services and extensions.

The Academic Cloud works like a modular system.
The base module “Academic Cloud Basis” forms the foundation and already includes numerous useful features and services, including Filesender, Pad and URL Shortner. Building on this foundation, additional services from the fields of teaching, research, communication, and AI can be integrated, such as Cocalc, Survey, Meet, and ChatAI. Individual quotas can be selected for each service, allowing different services to be provided with varying quota sizes. This results in a customized Academic Cloud configuration that is precisely tailored to the needs of your institution and its users.

Academic Cloud Basis

Functions

  • Authentication service (Academic Cloud SSO)
  • Multi-factor authentication
  • Self-service portal for users
  • Administration portal / organization management
  • Guest management
  • API access for account and access management

    • Optional: Customizable landing portal displaying all available services.

Services

In addition to the features and services included in Academic Cloud Basis, Academic Cloud offers more than 30 additional services. For a complete overview, please visit our Service Overview.

Each service offers independently selectable quotas, ranging from a small number of users to organization-wide access.

QuotaMax. number of users
AC1.330
AC2.1100
AC2.3300
AC3.11000
AC3.33000
ACCampus10.000
ACCampusPlus30.000
ACCampusMaxmore than 30,000

We recommend enabling access for entire institutions to minimize administrative effort. You can select different quotas for individual services, but the base module must be at least as large as the largest selected module.

Using Academic Cloud via DFN Cloud

A flowchart that illustrates how Academic Cloud can be used as a federated service via the DFN. It shows a flowchart consisting of three core elements: you, DFN, and GWDG. First, you express your interest in Academic Cloud to the DFN, then the DFN sends you a trial framework agreement. The GWDG enters into a trial agreement with you and provides the services. The costs are allocated via the DFN.

Using the Academic Cloud as a federated service via the DFN is incredibly simple.
Decide which services you would like to use, and set the appropriate quotas for the base module and the individual services.
To get started, contact the DFN. They will send you a trial framework agreement and assist you with any initial questions regarding the use of the Academic Cloud.
You will then receive the trial agreement from the GWDG. In the final step, your individual Academic Cloud configuration will be created and approved for use.

Downloads

All files are currently only available in German.

General Information
(PDF, 2.4 MB)
Service Descriptions
(ZIP, 2.3 MB)

Stay up to date

Our newsletter keeps you informed about new services, developments, and events related to Academic Cloud. If you would like to stay up to date, we would be delighted to welcome you to our mailing list. Simply send an email to news-subscribe@academiccloud.de.