Research Data Store (RDS) is a central service for storing large volumes of research data. 

Key features include:

  • Ease of use – accessible as a fast network drive across the college network, and directly on the RCS's compute systems.
  • Cost-effective – generous standard allocations for research projects, with metered rates for additional storage. 

What you get

  •  Project Space, as a PI you may create as many separate project allocations as you need. All allocations must be tied to an active research project grant or GL code. Each separate funded research project is eligible for 2TB of online storage free of charge for the duration of the project. Additional storage is chargeable at the metered rates shown below. This space provides snapshots, allowing you to retrieve deleted or earlier revisions of files.
  • Ephemeral Space is temporary working space. The ephemeral space can store an unrestricted amount of data but its contents are subject to a 30-day lifetime, older files being deleted automatically.

Can my files be stored on the RDS?

The RDS is suitable for storing data which is classified as public and unrestricted. If your data is classified as confidential, restricted or requires a certified environment, it cannot be stored on the RDS; please see the Saving my files page for alternative locations where your data can saved.

It is the ongoing responsibility of all users of the RDS to ensure that they adhere to these Information Governance recommendations.

How does the RDS compare to other storage options?

The features of the RDS in comparison to the College's other storage options are summarised in the following table:

Comparing RDS to other storage options table

Comparing RDS to other storage options

Use the below table to compare RDS against other College storage options.

 

OneDrive

SharePoint

RDS individual space

RDS project space

Recommended use

Individual use. Active document and small data file sharing

Group based collaboration documents.

Active workspace for users of the College HPC system

Storage of high volumes of active research data;

Data to be processed on HPC systems;

Standard allowance

5TB for staff and students

25TB per Sharepoint site

1TB for HPC users

2TB/research grant

Extra storage

Not available

Not applicable

Time limited (metered) ephemeral storage for temporary storage of large data sets

Time limited (metered) ephemeral storage for temporary storage of large data sets

Data sharing

Selectively, by file folder

Selectively: Allow Editing or read-only access. Can block downloads

POSIX file permissions. 

Sharing within an individual's research group

POSIX file permissions. 

Single access control list per allocation

Sharing outside of IC members

Individuals with a Microsoft account

Yes, but no anonymous links

No

yes with Globus.

Access

Web, Windows, Mac

Web

RCS HPC systems,

Linux, Windows 10, Mac (CIFS)

RDS HPC systems, 

Linux, Windows 10, Mac (CIFS)

Accessible outside College network

Yes, with an active College account

Yes

yes with Globus.

yes with Globus.

Reliability

Cloud service

Cloud service

Snapshots, second copy at the second site

Snapshots, second copy at the second site on request

Allocation lifetime

Owning an individual's College account

Indefinite

Owning an individual's College account

Typically for the length of a research project, subject to funding

 

Project Space Options

Each research project* is eligible for 2TB of online storage, split across all of the associated RDS project allocations. Usage over this amount will incur a fee and will be billed to the funding research project every month. We will calculate the fee based on the amount of storage actually used, measured daily. The rate we use depends on degree of redundancy requested when the allocation was created. We offer two tiers of redundancy:

  • Single Copy data is held on a single file-system supported by multiply-redundant disk storage system. This space provides snapshots, allowing you to  retrieve deleted or earlier revisions of files.

  • Dual Copy As the standard level, but with an additional copy kept at second geographic site, allowing data to be recovered in the case of a site-wide disaster.

These two tiers are both intended for data that's in active use.

*We consider a research project to be a unique entry in the college's grant management system - ie a project account with a P or PS code. Non-project GL accounts can also be used but these receive no standard entitlement.

FEC rates for the RDS Project Storage may be found on our RCS Charging Structure web page.

Registering, Managing and Accessing Project Allocations

PIs may register project allocations (please refer to the Get Access page), as well as monitor usage and grant other people access, via our self-service portal (college network or see Accessing services when off campus).

Once you have created an RDS project, please go to the RDS user guide for further information on accessing and managing your RDS project.