Centralized Desktop Storage

IT Services is pleased to make available centralized storage for desktop computing applications. This facility is intended to provide a secure, reliable, and consistent location for administrative and laboratory business documents, such as correspondence, research papers, and grant applications in process, as well as shared group documents (methods, procedures, etc.) that are frequently referenced.

What It Is

The current platform is built on technology developed by Network Appliance, Inc., and may be generally referred to as the NetApp. The NetApp supports access by Windows-, MacOSX-, and Unix-based computers. Security for files and directories can be defined and applied as desired by laboratory heads and shared service directors.

In addition, centrally stored documents will be available remotely through use of the existing TSRI VPN software, supporting access to stored data in a secure manner similar to that used while on campus.

Advantages of placing documents on the NetApp include:

• Independent and repeated virus scanning of storage contents by software specifically designed for this system,
• Independent and daily backup of the entire data store (using Veritas),
• The ability to "snapshot" storage contents at regular intervals, and put restoration of such snapshots under the user's control (contact IT Services for more information).

What It Is Not

• The NetApp is not a replacement for the DMF data archival system or for the Veritas backup system as it supports neither sufficient disk nor network capacity for these purposes.
• The NetApp is not an appropriate location for local email mailboxes or for relational database repositories (SQL, Access, etc.) as its responsiveness is not tuned to these needs.
• The NetApp is not a replacement for large, local storage devices intended to retain dense scientific or administrative data (hundreds of gigabytes or more).

Cost

Each TSRI faculty member and shared service department director will be provided 10 gigabytes of storage free of charge upon request. Groups then have the option to purchase additional storage in 5-gigabyte increments at a cost of $2.00 per gigabyte per year (e.g., adding 5 GB = $10/yr, adding 25 GB = $50/yr, etc.). Billing for this service will appear on quarterly IT Services service invoices.

Support Contact

For acquiring space on the NetApp, or to request support for issues regarding this storage, please submit a service request.