Storage options
For storage and processing of your data during the active phase of research, there are several options:
- DotCIO offers Box accounts to all RPI students, faculty and staff, with 50 GB storage capacity (can request more if needed) and access to data using any web browser.
- Shared Box@RPI is available for departments and research projects.
- Departmental disk space on RCS, but utilization of Box is preferred.
High-performance computing resources include:
Back up your data
- Make 3 copies (e.g. original + external/local + external/remote)
- Copies should be geographically distributed (local vs. remote)
Data backup options
- Personal computer hard drives, external hard drives, departmental or university servers
- CDs or DVDs are not recommended, because they fail frequently
- Cloud storage: several commercial options are available; each have different requirements, encryption, and storage fees
- Note that DotCIO does not maintain backups of stored data in your Box account
Security
- Unencrypted security is ideal for storing your data so that you and others can easily read it, but if encryption is required because of sensitive data:
- Keep passwords and keys on paper (2 copies) and in a PGP (pretty good privacy) encrypted digital file.
- Don’t rely on 3rd party encryption alone.
- Uncompressed is also ideal for storage, but if you need to do so to conserve space limit compression to your 3rd backup copy.
To make sure your backup system is working properly, test your system periodically. Try to retrieve data files and make sure you can read them.
Need more help?
The UK Data Archive provides additional guidelines on data storage, backup, and security.
