Overview
The Shared Data Collection Service provides a centrally managed and shareable data storage location for University research data. Data transfer and access is controlled through the Globus Platform which can be shared with external collaborators and integrated into research data portals. The service is administered by BU Research Computing Services and leverages the MGHPCC NorthEast Storage Exchange (NESE).
Benefits
Easily store, access, and share research datasets. A storage allocation is made available as a Globus Collection and managed directly by the Share Collection Manager. The Globus platform ensures reliable data transfer and provides data sharing capabilities through a convenient web interface. Additionally, the Globus platform includes software tools for advanced programmatic data integrations.
Available To
This service is available to Faculty, Staff, and Departments. A Collection, once provisioned, may be shared with anyone including external collaborators or made public.
Key Features
- Housed at the MGHPCC, a secure and professionally managed data center.
- Supports flexible storage allocations (1 TB-100 TB+).
- Use the Globus Platform for flexible data access and reliable data transfer.
- Share data with collaborators both in and outside of Boston University.
- Use your Globus Collection as a repository for a Modern Research Data Portal.
- Approved to store Confidential data as defined by the BU Data Classification Policy.
What to Expect
The Shared Data Collection Service will normally be available 24 by 7 except during an annual MGHPCC datacenter downtime (typically 3 days in early summer), occasional datacenter outages, and scheduled maintenance as required by NorthEast Storage Exchange platform administrators. Notice for planned maintenance and unplanned outage activity will be communicated to Share Collection Managers via email.
Requirements
- A Globus account for all Collection members.
- Access to a Collection provided by the Share Collection Manager.
- Optional access to additional Globus collections for data transfer.
This can include institutional endpoints or a personal endpoint.
Cost
Shared Data Collection allocations are provided in 1 Tebibyte (TiB)* increments at a rate of $35/TiB/year. Payments are processed through BU’s Internal Service Request (ISR) made payable to Provider “IS&T-RCS Shared Data Collection Service”.
* A Tebibyte (TiB) is a unit of digital storage using base-2 notation (1024 multipliers); 1 TiB is a little larger than 1 Terabyte (TB).
Getting Started
- Consult with Research Computing regarding your specific storage requirements and storage options.
- Activate your Globus account using your BU email address.
- Submit a Shared Data Collection Request.
- Review the Globus usage documentation to begin.