Storage & Backup

Research Interactive Storage

Research Interactive Storage is a low-cost, pay as you go file storage solution ideal for researchers whose work generates large data sets that then need to be analyzed. It is designed to meet the very large file storage requirements common to research. Storage can either be attached via a network share to an existing host or be directly attached to a Virtual Machine (VM) in ERIS' DIPR hosting space.

RFA (Research File Area shares)

Features

• Expandable shares to accommodate your data growth
• Login using your MGB Username and password
• All files are backed up and retained for 90 Days (on system)

Macintosh or Windows computers via SMB/CIFS

• Up to 64 TB per share
• Flexible folder permissions that you manage
• Off system backup available on request

Linux/Unix Computers via NFS protocol

• Up to 64 TB per share
• Off system backup available on request

DIPR Storage (Additional storage for your VM)

Features

• Up to 64 TB of storage per LUN (multiple LUN's supported). 
• All files are backed up and retained for 7 Days

SFA (Shared File Areas)

The SFA solution is provided by Mass General Brigham IS. To request the service, search for SFA from the IS Service Hub by following these instructions.

1. Go to the IS Service Hub
2. Click Make a Request
3. Search for SFA 

See also INFO: Cost Associated With Shared File Area (SFA) Request​

CloudVault

CloudVault is ideal for data that must be encrypted and for data that needs additional layers of protection to prevent loss. The features of CloudVault meet the needs of labs and departments with high-level security requirements driven by data sensitivity or contractual agreements. Data stored in CloudVault is replicated and backed up.

Access

• Users connect via their Mac, Windows or Linux computers via the Mass General Brigham (MGB) network using the built-in networking via SMB or NFS protocols.
• Log in using your MGB username and password
• Share access via a PAS group
• Define access with a flexible folder and sub-folder permissions based on the PAS group assignments

Data Flow Design

• All data enters the system via a network file share accessible only from MGB's network via an on-prem storage system hosted in a MGB Datacenter.
• Data is automatically tiered via redudant connections to a secure offsite storage system.
• Backups stored securely offsite.

Security Features

• Data Encryption at rest
• Audit-log capability (feature in progress)
• Antivirus (AV) protection using Trend Microsystems
• Data is only accessible from the MGB network via authenication
• Data is stored onsite and in the Cloud
• Work is in progress on building redundancy and improved auditing, to meet GDPR requirments. Completion anticipated Summer 2021

Connection Protocols

• Macintosh, Windows, and Linux computers via SMB/CIFS
• Linux/Unix Computers via NFS protocol

For more information about CloudVault storage, please contact rcc@partners.org

MAD3

Provides secure access to large amounts of affordable storage for infrequently accessed data.

Access

• Partners credentials are used to access accounts
• MAD shares can be granted access via a PAS group or list of MGB usernames

Key points

• Data can be accessed via SMB and NFS
  • HDFS protocol may be offered in future (contact ideasupport@partners.org to participate in pilot of HDFS protocol access).
• Tiered storage solution. Data will be written to a high-performance storage and then sent off to a cost-effective cloud storage solution managed by ERIS
• Integration with MGB AD and LDAP security
• High availability, snapshots and quota management
• Ideal for large, infrequently accessed data sets, where lower i/o performance is not a major concern
• Pay (charged back) monthly on actual usage

Cloud Bucket

Cloud Bucket is ideal for web applications requiring object-storage or for archiving files which are infrequently modified. 

This petabyte-scale, object-based storage solution has multi-site replication capabilities built in and is accessible via Amazon S3 and OpenStack Swift compatible tools and APIs. Multi-site replication allows for loss of an entire site while protecting your data in two different datacenters more than 50 miles apart.

Two file-based storage options are available for data that is analyzed using ERISOne Linux Cluster or Windows Analysis Servers.

BriefCASE

The BriefCASE storage option is high performance storage attached to the cluster which supports large scale parallel processing of genomic and medical imaging data sets. BriefCASE storage is issued to Lab groups as a shared resource per Lab group or per project and can scale from 200GB to 50+ TB.  It is suitable for datasets with an average file size of 4MB or larger.

BriefCASE storage can be made available short-term at no charge for pilot / proof-of-concept projects.

Data protection is provided by daily snapshots that retain deleted or changed files for up to 7 days depending on recent activity and available space.

The CrashPlan Desktop Backup Service provides secure, central back up to two different Mass General Brigham (MGB) Data Centers. This solution is for work-related data (system files are excluded) for Macintosh, Windows or Linux desktop or laptop computers. This system does not back up Partners “Standard” PC computers. For a backup to complete, the computer must be connected to MGB's Network either via a wired, wireless (PHSWIFI3) or while connected over VPN.   

Two Desktop Backup Options:

1. Individual Desktop Backup Service: This service will backup the user account from which you install the Crashplan backup software.  Login to the backup application utilizes your  MGB username and password.
2. Shared/Lab Desktop Backup Service: This service backs up multiple user accounts that exist on the same computer.  The shared computer is configured with an additional account with all accounts on that computer having access to all backed up data.  A separate username and password for the application is issued in these circumstances that is NOT an individual's MGB username/password.

Features:

• Automatically backs up changed data every 15 minutes, stored locally if offline, synched to the repository once online and connected to MGB
• Live data is stored forever. Deleted files retained for 90 days
• Lost files can be recovered without having to call anyone
• Multi-Destination Backup: The Crashplan application will backup files to 2 geographical locations. If one location is down, the other has your data
• Data De-duplication
• Backup Open Files
• Compression
• Encryption: 448-bit Blowfish encryption (in transit and at rest)
• Continuous data protection (CDP)
• Backup to an External Drive for added protection
• 1 TB backup Limit

CrashPlan Workstation Backup

This service provides backup for Macintosh, Windows and Linux Workstations.  One account is used to backup all your workstations. You select what files/folders you want to backup. Once you signup we will send you a custom username and password to your email account that is NOT your MGB username/password. This system does not back up MGB “Standard” PC workstations.
 
The system must be connected to MGB's Network via wired, wireless (PHSWIFI3) or while connected on VPN to be backed up. 

Supported Systems: