storage-tool.yml

title: Campus file storage and transfer
description: |
  Several services at Brown allow you to share and store files. This guide will let you compare the options and decide which one(s) are right for you.
icon: database
links:
  - text: check our storage options
    target: /services/file-storage-and-transfer
call-for-action:
  text: Check Our Storage Options
  href: /storage

storage_tool_header: |
  This tool lets you compare the available storage options at Brown.
  Answer some of these questions or select services to compare their features
  and decide which of these services suit your needs.

services:
  - name: "Google Drive"
    description: |
      Google Drive gives you space to store and share documents.
      The native Google document formats allow for real-time collaboration and file history.
      You can also store unconverted files of various types in your Google Drive.
      It's easy to share files with members of the Brown community (including Google Groups)
      and non-Brown Google accounts; files can be shared with view-only, comment, or edit access.
      Google also has a really nice feature where you can scan in handwritten documents and have
      them converted to text. You can access files on the web, through a mobile app, or by
      installing Google Drive on your computer (which makes it act like a folder on your
      computer).
      - Best for: Collaboration in native Google files, easy access from anywhere, small amount of total storage, sharing with Google Groups.
      - Limitations: Data transfer speeds may be very limited, Globus can provide high bandwidth data transfers.
      - More info: [Documentation](https://ithelp.brown.edu/kb/48-google-drive) | [Security](https://storage.googleapis.com/gfw-touched-accounts-pdfs/google-cloud-security-and-compliance-whitepaper.pdf)

    features:
      - name: relative_speed
        class: fast
      - name: collaborative_edits
        class: True
      - name: shareable_link
        class: True
      - name: DOI_provided
        class: False
      - name: data_protection_snapshots
        class: True
        notes:
          - up to 30 days
      - name: data_protection_replication
        class: True
      - name: canvas_integration
        class: False
      - name: brown_network_required
        class: False
      - name: access_from_oscar
        class: True
        notes:
          - accessible via Globus
      - name: security
        class: 2
        notes:
          - prevent editors from resharing
          - set expiration date
      - name: storage
        class: 1 TB +
        notes:
          - Not for large storage needs
      - name: max_file_size
        class: 1 TB
      - name: storage_warmth
        class: warm

  - name: campus_file_storage_non-replicated
    description: |
      File Services for Research provides Brown University research departments with a location in which 
      files can be stored, backed up, and shared with members of the Brown community using Brown ID’s and groups. 
      Space is allocated to each research lab or PI with an ITHelp request , security groups are required to 
      define access to the data. The data is protected locally via snapshots but doesn’t have 
      geo-redundancy (secondary copy).
      - Best for:  Brown faculty and staff researchers looking to store, share and protect research data.
      - Accessibility: The data is accessible on Brown's campus networks (including VPN and wireless). Also accessible directly from High Performance Computing Cluster (Oscar).
      - Limitations: No geo-redundancy (secondary copy)
      - Rate: $50/TB/Year when storing above free/grant allocations
    features:
      - name: relative_speed
        class: faster
      - name: collaborative_edits
        class: False
      - name: shareable_link
        class: True
        notes:
          - via Globus
      - name: DOI_provided
        class: False
      - name: data_protection_snapshots
        class: True
        notes:
          - up to 6 months
      - name: data_protection_replication
        class: False
      - name: canvas_integration
        class: False
      - name: brown_network_required
        class: True
        notes:
          - except with Globus
      - name: access_from_oscar
        class: True
        notes:
          - Multi-Protocol Share
      - name: security
        class: 2
        notes:
          - Access controlled by Brown Authentication and Security groups
      - name: storage
        class: 2 TB +
        notes:
          - 2 TB per PI
          - 20 TB per grant
          - Paid after that @ $50/TB/Yr. (Summed across all paid storage types)
      - name: max_file_size
        class: 128 TB
        notes:
          - 1 TB for best performance
      - name: storage_warmth
        class: hot

  - name: campus_file_storage_replicated
    description: |
      File Services for Research provides Brown University research departments with a
      location in which files can be stored, backed up, and shared with members of the
      Brown community using Brown ID’s and groups.  Space is allocated to each research
      lab or PI with an ITHelp request , security groups are required to define access to
      the data.  The data is replicated daily to our disaster recovery site for True
      geo-redundant data protection.  The data is accessible on Brown's campus networks
      (including VPN and wireless).
      - Best for:  Brown faculty and staff researchers looking to store, share and protect research data.
      - Accessibility: The data is accessible on Brown's campus networks (including VPN and wireless). Also accessible directly from High Performance Computing Cluster (Oscar).
      - Sharing:  The data can be shared with both Brown and non-Brown collaborators via Globus.
      - Rate: $100/TB/Year when storing above free/grant allocations
    features:
      - name: relative_speed
        class: faster
      - name: collaborative_edits
        class: False
      - name: shareable_link
        class: True
        notes:
          - via Globus
      - name: DOI_provided
        class: False
      - name: data_protection_snapshots
        class: True
        notes:
          - up to 6 months
      - name: data_protection_replication
        class: True
      - name: canvas_integration
        class: False
      - name: brown_network_required
        class: True
        notes:
          - except with Globus
      - name: access_from_oscar
        class: True
        notes:
          - Multi-Protocol Share
      - name: security
        class: 2
        notes:
          - Access controlled by Brown Authentication and Security groups
      - name: storage
        class: 1 TB +
        notes:
          - 1 TB per PI
          - 10 TB per grant
          - Paid after that @ $100/TB/Yr. (Summed across all paid storage types)
      - name: max_file_size
        class: 128 TB
        notes:
          - 1 TB for best performance
      - name: storage_warmth
        class: hot

  - name: Brown_Digital_Repository
    description: |
      The Brown Digital Repository (BDR) is a place to gather, index, store, preserve, and make
      available digital assets produced via the scholarly, instructional, research, and administrative
      activities at Brown.

      The Brown University Library maintains the repository as a service to the Brown community; it
      provides:

      - A searchable index of digital objects shared by the Brown community.
      - Permanent, secure storage for personal and departmental digital objects.
      - Off-site backups of digital content.
      - Tools for sharing and publishing digital content.
      - Data curation, format migration, and preservation services.

      Faculty and researchers interested in using the Brown Digital Repository as a platform for
      programmatic data management, storage, and publication should contact the Library (bdr@brown.edu)
      for information about opportunities for research consulting and project development support.
      - More info: [Documentation](https://repository.library.brown.edu/studio/about/)
    features:
      - name: relative_speed
        class: faster
      - name: collaborative_edits
        class: False
      - name: shareable_link
        class: True
      - name: DOI_provided
        class: True
      - name: data_protection_snapshots
        class: True
        notes:
          - up to 60 days
      - name: data_protection_replication
        class: True
      - name: canvas_integration
        class: False
      - name: brown_network_required
        class: True
        notes:
          - except with Globus
      - name: access_from_oscar
        class: False
      - name: security
        class: 2
        notes:
          - Access controlled by Brown Authentication and Security groups
      - name: storage
        class: 1 TB
        notes:
          - Contact the Library for greater needs
      - name: max_file_size
        class: 4 GB
        notes:
          - 1 TB for best performance
      - name: storage_warmth
        class: cold

  - name: LabArchives
    description: |
      LabArchives is a cloud-based electronic lab notebook that can be used by researchers, instructors, and
      students for input and organization of laboratory data, information sharing, and collaboration, and for
      saving historical versions of files. It is appropriate for use in a wide variety of laboratories, including
      biological sciences, chemistry and physical sciences, and engineering, among others.

      LabArchives at Brown provides unlimited storage space. The current size limit per file is 4GB.

      LabArchives at Brown is not approved for storing files containing Personally Identifiable Information (PII),
      Protected Health Information (PHI), or Brown Restricted Information.
      - More info: [Documentation](https://library.brown.edu/info/labarchives/)
    features:
      - name: relative_speed
        class: faster
      - name: collaborative_edits
        class: True
      - name: shareable_link
        class: True
      - name: DOI_provided
        class: False
      - name: data_protection_snapshots
        class: True
        notes:
          - up to 60 days
      - name: data_protection_replication
        class: True
      - name: canvas_integration
        class: True
      - name: brown_network_required
        class: True
      - name: access_from_oscar
        class: False
      - name: security
        class: 2
        notes:
          - Access controlled by Brown Authentication and Security groups
      - name: storage
        class: 1 TB
        notes:
          - Contact the Library for greater needs
      - name: max_file_size
        class: 4 GB
      - name: storage_warmth
        class: hot

  - name: oscar_storage
    description: |
      Oscar storage, also known as Computational Data Storage, is a high-performance data storage system which is 
      accessible from any computer connected from Brown's campus network, or from outside the network via ssh. 
      What sets this option apart from the others is that it is directly connected to Brown’s primary supercomputer, 
      “Oscar”, making computation easier. If you don’t intend to compute your data with Brown’s supercomputer, you 
      may consider using Campus File Storage instead. You could also use Oscar storage for computing and then move 
      your results to Campus File Storage for greater accessibility, reliability, and protection.

      - Synonyms: Oscar Data, HPC Storage, GPFS (historically) 
      - Best for: High performance storage of research data, perform computation on your data using Brown’s supercomputer
      - Limitations: Not accessible on all campus networks.
      - Rate: $100/TB/Year when storing above free/grant allocations
      - More info: [Documentation](https://ccv.brown.edu/services/computing#high-performance-computing-(oscar)) | [Request these services](https://brown.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_0GtBE8kWJpmeG4B)
    features:
      - name: relative_speed
        class: fastest
      - name: collaborative_edits
        class: False
      - name: shareable_link
        class: True
        notes:
          - via Globus
      - name: DOI_provided
        class: False
      - name: data_protection_snapshots
        class: True
        notes:
          - up to 30 days
      - name: data_protection_replication
        class: True
      - name: canvas_integration
        class: False
      - name: brown_network_required
        class: True
        notes:
          - except with Globus
      - name: access_from_oscar
        class: True
      - name: security
        class: 2
        notes:
          - Access controlled by Brown Authentication and Security groups
      - name: storage
        class: 1 TB +
        notes:
          - 1 TB per PI
          - 10 TB per grant
          - Paid after that @ $100/TB/Yr. (Summed across all paid storage types)
      - name: max_file_size
        class: 128 TB
        notes:
          - 1 TB for best performance
      - name: storage_warmth
        class: hot

  - name: stronghold
    description: |
      [Stronghold](https://it.brown.edu/services/stronghold-research-environment-data-compliance) is a secure computing and storage environment that enables
      Brown researchers to analyze sensitive data while complying with regulatory
      or contractual requirements.
      - Best for: Storing data with data usage agreements, FISMA, etc.
      - Rate: $100/TB/Year when storing above free/grant allocations
      - More info: [Request this service](https://www.brown.edu/cis/forms/Stronghold/shold.php)
    features:
      - name: relative_speed
        class: faster
      - name: collaborative_edits
        class: False
      - name: shareable_link
        class: False
      - name: DOI_provided
        class: False
      - name: data_protection_snapshots
        class: True
        notes:
          - up to 6 weeks
      - name: data_protection_replication
        class: True
      - name: canvas_integration
        class: False
      - name: brown_network_required
        class: True
        notes:
          - except with Globus
      - name: access_from_oscar
        class: False
      - name: security
        class: 3
        notes:
          - Appropriate for data with strong data compliance requirements PII, HIPAA, etc
      - name: storage
        class: 1 TB +
        notes:
          - 1 TB per PI
          - 10 TB per grant
          - Paid after that @ $100/TB/Yr. (Summed across all paid storage types)
      - name: max_file_size
        class: 4 TB
        notes: 
          - 1 TB for best performance
      - name: storage_warmth
        class: hot

  - name: Hibernate
    description: |
      [Hibernate](https://docs.ccv.brown.edu/hibernate/) is a secure, reliable, research data archive solution. Hibernate is a Brown OIT archival service for the research community to migrate inactive data off active Network-attached storage (NAS) platforms onto a lower cost, long-term retention environment. 

        * Hibernate leverages [StarFish](https://docs.ccv.brown.edu/starfish/), an application that provides a metadata and rules-based management framework for large file systems. StarFish makes storage tiering easy: moving data, reporting, zones. 
        * A zone is a virtual-volume or collection of branches across different file-systems (Oscar storage, Isilion, LRS etc.). Each PI group is distributed into an individual zone. A zone provides:
            * Types/sizes of files, access times
            * Hot Spots (Growth, user(s)/Group(s)
            * Action: Archive, Delete, Recover
    features:
      - name: relative_speed
        class: slow
      - name: collaborative_edits
        class: False
      - name: shareable_link
        class: False
      - name: DOI_provided
        class: False
      - name: data_protection_snapshots
        class: False
      - name: data_protection_replication
        class: True
      - name: canvas_integration
        class: False
      - name: brown_network_required
        class: True
      - name: access_from_oscar
        class: False
      - name: security
        class: 2
        notes:
          - Access controlled by Brown Authentication and Security groups
      - name: storage
        class: 2 TB +
        note: Capacity for greater storage needs, but may eventually be a small fee
      - name: max_file_size
        class: 4 TB
      - name: storage_warmth
        class: cold

questions:
  - question: What is the risk classification of your data?
    information: |
      **[Brown Data Risk Classification](https://it.brown.edu/computing-policies/risk-classifications)** is a 
      system Brown has developed to classify its information assets into one of four risk-based categories
      (No Risk, Level 1, Level 2, or Level 3) for the purpose of determining who is allowed
      to access the information and what security precautions must be taken to protect it
      against unauthorized access. It is the data and service owner’s responsibility to ensure
      appropriate security measures are taken depending on the risk classification. If you
      have any questions or need help, please reach out to the Information Security Group
      (isg@brown.edu).
    affected_category: security
    default_answer: No Risk
    answers:
      - answer: No Risk
        category_classes:
          - 0
          - 1
          - 2
          - 3
      - answer: Level 1
        category_classes:
          - 1
          - 2
          - 3
      - answer: Level 2
        category_classes:
          - 2
          - 3
      - answer: Level 3
        category_classes:
          - 3
  - question: Would you like a DOI auto-generated for your data?
    information: |
      A digital object identifier (DOI) is unique and persistent identifier used to identify 
      a physical, digital, or abstract object (e.g., journal article, research report, or data
      set). The DOI remains constant over the life of the object, and as such, provides a
      digital, searchable, and persistent link. The Brown University Library will help students, 
      faculty, and staff obtain a DOI for digital assets produced via the scholarly, 
      instructional, research, and administrative activities at Brown. [You can learn more 
      here](https://repository.library.brown.edu/studio/doi/)
    affected_category: DOI_provided
    default_answer: No
    answers:
      - answer: Yes
        category_classes:
          - True
      - answer: No
        category_classes:
          - True
          - False
  - question: Do you need snapshots or replication of your data?
    information: |
      Many storage services offer the ability to take "snapshots" or backup copies of your 
      data. As the terms suggests, these amount to duplicate copies—frozen at a given point
      in time—of your data. And if necessary, your data could be restored to a prior snapshot
      or replication copy of the data.
    affected_category: data_protection
    default_answer: No
    answers:
      - answer: Yes
        category_classes:
          - True
      - answer: No
        category_classes:
          - False
          - True
      - answer: Not sure
        category_classes:
          - True
          - False
  - question: Is integration with Canvas required?
    information: |
      Are you using these data for teaching purposes, and if so, do you need your students
      to be able to access the data from with the Canvas learning management system?
    affected_category: canvas_integration
    default_answer: No
    answers:
      - answer: Yes
        category_classes:
          - True
      - answer: No
        category_classes:
          - True
          - False
  - question: How much data do you have?
    information: |
      Most of the storage services the University offers can accommodate very large data 
      sets. But there are fewer options once your data grows to exceptionally large sized. 
      And for the exceptionally large data sets, these will also often exceed the free 
      allocations that Brown provides—and thus, you might need to pay a small fee for 
      the additional storage.
    affected_category: storage
    default_answer: Less than 1 TB
    answers:
      - answer: Less than 1 TB
        category_classes:
          - unlimited
          - 1 TB
          - 1 TB +
          - 2 TB +
      - answer: Greater than 1 TB
        category_classes:
          - unlimited
          - 1 TB +
          - 2 TB +
  - question: Do you need access to your data from Oscar?
    information:
    affected_category: access_from_oscar
    default_answer: No
    answers:
      - answer: Yes
        category_classes:
          - True
          - partial
      - answer: No
        category_classes:
          - True
          - False
          - partial
  - question: Do you need to share data via a link?
    information:
    affected_category: shareable_link
    default_answer: No
    answers:
      - answer: Yes
        category_classes:
          - True
      - answer: No
        category_classes:
          - True
          - False
  - question: Do your data require "hot" or "cold" storage?
    information: |
      The "warmth" of a data set is essentially the frequency with which it needs to be accessed 
      or updated. A "hot" data set is one that you are actively working with as part of your model
      fitting or analysis. A "warm" data set is one that is still sometimes accessed for reading 
      and writing. A "cold" data set is effectively never (or only _extremely_ rarely) accessed. 
      Cold storage is often referred to as "archival storage". So, cold storage solutions are most 
      appropriate when the analysis of the data is complete. That is, when you are done with 
      the data, but you are keeping them around because of either obligations from grants or 
      funding agencies, or just in case they are needed at some later time.
    affected_category: storage_warmth
    default_answer: Any
    answers:
      - answer: Hot
        category_classes:
          - hot
      - answer: Warm
        category_classes:
          - warm
      - answer: Cold
        category_classes:
          - cold
      - answer: Any
        category_classes:
          - hot
          - warm
          - cold