Research Data Management
RDM is the organization, storage, preservation, and sharing of data collected and used in a research project. CATS is working with the Grants office and the Libraries to develop a collaborative RDM policy and support infrastructure. Stay tuned…  In the meantime checkout Smith Scholar Works

General Data Storage
There are three main data storage systems available at Smith.

Nasuni – Your Home and Shared drives.  25GB limit, files are backed up nightly and easily restored if issues arise. Provided by ITS.
Google Drive – Unlimited storage, off-campus so can be slow depending on file size. Files are also restorable. Provided by ITS.
Big Data Storage – Generally used for active research data.  Anything over 100GB that you need access to fast would best be served here. Files are backed up and easily restorable. Provided by CATS 

Data Store Connection Syntax

Logging into a SMB file server on a Windows computer:
\\ad.smith.edu\files\path-to-files

Logging into a SMB file server on a Mac computer:
smb://ad.smith.edu/files/path-to-files

Logging into a SMB file server on a Mac computer using different usernames:
smb://other_username:*@ad.smith.edu/files/path-to-files

Logging into a SMB file server on a Windows computer using a different username:
See this doc explaining how to “Connect using different credentials”

See also: ITS Network Storage at Smith for reference

Connecting to your Research Storage from an Apple Computer

In the Finder on your Mac, from the upper left menu options choose Go > Connect to Server 
Or use the Command-K (⌘K) keyboard shortcut to open the Connect to Server window
 
In the Server Address field type the network address such as:
 

Example Connection Paths (Apple flavor)
smb://ad.smith.edu/files/Academic/Research/
smb://ad.smith.edu/files/Home/username
smb://ad.smith.edu/files/Shared/foldername 

Connecting to your Research Storage from an Windows Computer
[add Windows instructions/paths]

CATS Guide to Appropriate Data Storage Locations

Recommended Usage:Internal DriveExternal DriveGoogle DriveNasuni, Smith H: or S: DrivesNetApp Big Data Storage
Sharing with Colleaguesmaybeyesyesmaybemaybe
Sharing with Studentsmaybeyesyesmaybemaybe
Sharing controlled by YOUyesyesyesnono
Sharing controlled by CATS/ITSmaybemaybemaybeyesmaybe
Live Collaborative Worknonoyesnono
Active Research Data Sets < 25GByesyesyesyesmaybe
Active Research Data Sets > 1TBmaybemaybenonoyes
PII/Sensitive Datacautioncautionnoyesmaybe
Client Backup*nomaybenomaybeno

Chart Key

yes= Yesno= No
maybe= Maybecaution= Caution

Data Encryption
Mac Encryption – https://support.apple.com/guide/mac-help/protect-data-on-your-mac-with-filevault-mh11785/mac 

Windows Encryption – 

Data Visualization

Live Data Streams:
Pond http://pond.smith.edu/index.html
MacLeish http://macleish.smith.edu/index.html
Physics Weather https://www.wunderground.com/dashboard/pws/KMANORTH55
Building OS (available through API)

Restoring versions of your data

You are able to restore your own data via all supported storage solutions.

  • Nasuni/NAS – On a Windows computer you can right click on the folder or the file and restore a previous version of that file.  If the file was completely deleted you will need to contact ITS to have the file/folder restored.  Mac users, you need to use a Windows computer to do this.
  • Google – you can open the file and go to File > revision history.  More in-depth instructions are available here: https://support.google.com/drive/answer/2409045?hl=en
  • If your backing up your computer(s) using CrashPlan your data can be recovered through the CrashPlan.app