RACS - File and Storage Services

The RACS computing group does provide some base level file space for all users around operations, academic and research work.

 

  • Academic Computing Storage

    • Server Room
      Classes have available space on Digial Earth server. Please contact RACS "Support" for help using the Digital Earth server.
       

  • Research Computing Storage

    • Each user is provided a limited amount of space (1TB) within their Linux based home directories but can request more if needed.
       
    • Users with Linux based accounts can access "scratch" space that is provided however the space is purged of all its contents monthly, regardless of file age. Scratch space usage currently has no limits, but of course we want people to keep their usage to a reasonable amount since it's the same storage pool used by other volumes.
       
    • Each lab or PI with Linux based accounts can access the "project" space where users are provide lab based space for long term storage. Project space usage currently has a 10TB limit per lab folder, but of course if groups need more we can help them expand that space using lab based funds. Please inquire with the RACS group about current costs for adding space. Labs need to manage their own backup of the project space using external drives or cloud based methods. RACS can help group with a backup model if needed.
       

    • If labs are in need of large amounts of dedicated permanent storage for research or collaboration please contact RACS "Support" for help making a storage purchase.
       

  • Backup Storage

    • Linux based Home directories are backed-up weekly with daily snapshots held for four weeks and weekly snapshots held for twenty-six weeks.

    • Neither project or scratch are backed-up or have a snapshot taken regularly please do not store any important data in those spaces.
       

  • Globus Data Transfer Node

    • Globus is a non-profit service for secure, reliable research data management that can leverage our on-premises file space resources and provide cloud like services. With Globus, subscribers can move, share, and discover data via a single interface for file sharing, endpoint management and reporting. The RACS group has setup a Data Transfer Node (DTN) supporting the Globus service.  This DNT has the ability to allow groups to mount lab owned file space or leverage the RACS provided file space (see Research Computing Storage) to share, transfer or manage data between internal and external groups. There is no cost to using the CEOAS Globus DTN. The only limit groups have will be the space provided either by the lab owned space or the space provided by RACS group. These spaces can be increased using research funding so if you are having issues please inquire about current cost models for purchasing space to the RACS redundant file server. CEOAS labs will have the ability to use the CEOAS Globus DTN very much like they would have used Google Drive or Box however we can now leverage on-premise file space reducing long term costs around large data stores that would have been in a paid cloud service. For example groups can setup automatic upload and downloads between CEOAS RACS and a cyber infrastructure provided by a granting agency like NSF or the USGS. This allows groups to leverage compute resources outside OSU more easily while including their own research data. Labs can also just setup folders to share files to other groups providing read or write access as needed.   Please work with RACS staff to setup the Globus solution your lab will need and read more on the Globus website.