Storage & Backup

ERIS has a wide variety of data storage solutions that can meet the needs of the research community across the Mass General Brigham (MGB) system. There are a number of options available, providing various levels of high performance, high density and high availability. ERIS will gladly assist you with finding the right solution to meet your price and usage requirements. 

All of the data storage solutions that ERIS provides are approved for internal data flows that have PHI, based on MGB InfoSecurity and data privacy guidelines and policies. If there are specific requirements built into an external DUA or contract, then additional consultation may be needed to determine the best solution.

HELP! What type of storage do I need?
Quick Comparison Chart

ERIS provide a number of different storage and backup solutions for the Research communities at Mass General Brigham

An additional Storage Solutions FAQ outlines various data scenarios that may also help you decide what storage solutions are right for you. 

Quick Compare

Service Ideal for... Features  Connection Protocols Cost
General Purpose
Research Interactive Storage (RIS) Large file-based datasets up to 64TB *
  • Single-copy
  • Nightly Snapshot
  • 90 days of snapshots
  • Shareable internally, nested permissions
  • Single Data Center Location
 SMB/CIFS NFS $, pay-as-you-go
SFA Small to large file-based datasets including backup, if you need datacenter redundancy 
  • Single-copy
  • Monthly Snapshots
  • Backed up
  • Shareable internally
  • Network Shared replicated across datacenters
 SMB/CIFS

First 1TB is free,
$3,650 per TB / $3.65 per GB
 charge every 4 years

Read more
CloudVault petabyte-scale, hybrid file-based storage with highly secure controls that satisfy contractual and US and EU government requirements for highly sensitive data
  • Cloud replication, backup
  • Data Encryption
  • Audit-log capability
  • Antivirus (AV) 
  • Shareable internally, nested permissions
 SMB/CIFS NFS

$, pay-as-you-go
Dropbox Business at Partners HealthCare File storage for collaboration
  • Cloud replication, backup
  • Shareable across devices, internal and external collaborators
  • Versioning
 web download, replicated to desktop folders

no charge

1TB limit
Syncplicity Replication and internal sharing of Desktop files and images suitalble for highly sensitive/secure data.
  • Cloud replication, backup
  • Shareable across devices, internal and external collaborators
  • Encrypted and Compliant with FISMA and FIPS standards
  • Versioning
 web download, replicated across multiple desktop folders

annual subscription cost:$50/year 
Archival Storage

MAD

"Massive Array of Disk."  Archiving large files which are infrequently modified; scales to PB
  • replicated across datacenters 
  • high availability
  • snapshots
  • policy-based encryption and compression
 SMB $, pay-as-you-go
Cloud Bucket     Archiving large files which are infrequently modified; scales to PB when the average file size is 128MB or larger
  • replicated across datacenters

  • Encryption at rest: AES 256bit (optional) 

  • Encryption in transit: HTTPS/SSL

s3/Swift/CAS

 $,pay-as-you-go
Application-Based Storage
Cloud Bucket     Web applications requiring object-storage
  • replicated across datacenters

  • Encryption at rest: AES 256bit (optional) 

  • Encryption in transit: HTTPS/SSL

s3/Swift/CAS

 $,,
pay-as-you-go
Cluster Attached Storage
BriefCASE High Performance Storage dedicated to the ERISOne Linux Cluster with data sets 200GB+ and average file size > 4MB
  • single-copy
  • snapshot
 panFS SMB/CIFS

$, pay-as-you-go or capital purchase

*Larger volumes may be available on RFA, depending on the use case. Contact rcc@partners.org to inquire.
 

At this time, these services have limited availability for proof-of-concept, pilot use cases. Please email rcc@partners.org if you are interested in participating in the pilot.

$ Fees listed on the CORE page

General Purpose
Network file shares for access from the Partners network

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 Partners IS. To request the service, search for SFA from the Service Catalog by following these instructions.

  1. Go to the IS Service Desk site: www.partners.org/isservicedesk.
  2. Click Make a Request
  3. Search for SFA

See also PHS IS Infrastructure Technology Systems - Model System Cost

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

 

RFA Storage

Request Service
RFA FAQ
Current Pricing
Core Billing FAQ
email support

SFA Storage

The SFA solution is provided by central IT. To request the service, search for SFA from the Service Catalog by following these instructions.

  1. Go to https://www.partners.org/ISServiceDesk
  2. Click the “Browse Service Catalog” button
  3. Search the Catalog for “sfa” and click the magnifying glass icon
contact the IS Service Desk

CloudVault

Coming soon! This service has limited availability for early adopters.
Request Service
email support
Archival Storage
Online backup and long-term archive for large data sets

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.

MAD3 Storage

MAD3 (Massive Array of Disks)
Request Service
FAQ & Technical Detail
Current Pricing
Core Billing FAQ
email support

Cloud Bucket

Request Service
email support

Meet the Team

This team provides storage, database, hosted solutions and the Discovery Informatics Platform for Research (DIPR) to meet research needs.
Learn More
Application-Based Storage
A petabyte-scale, object-based storage solution with geo-replicated capabilities

Cloud Bucket

Cloud Bucket is ideal for web applications requiring object-storage or for archiving large 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 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.

Cloud Bucket

Request Service
email support

Meet the Team

This team provides storage, database, hosted solutions and the Discovery Informatics Platform for Research (DIPR) to meet research needs.
Learn More
Cluster Attached Storage
Two file-based storage options are available for data that is analyzed using ERISOne Linux Cluster or Windows Analysis Servers

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.

ERISOne Cluster Attached Storage

BriefCASE Storage Request
ERISOne Group & Mini Brief Storage Request
Knowledge Base - Answers
System Availability - Service Level Agreement
Report a Problem
Tell us How We Are Doing
Email Support
Desktop Backup
Desktop/Laptop CrashPlan Backup

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 Backup

Signup for the CrashPlan Backup Service
Email support

CrashPlan Requirements

Cost:

  •     $5 per computer per month

Supported Clients:

  •     Macintosh
    • 10.10, 10.11, 10.12, 10.13, 10.14, 10.15
  •     Windows
    • Windows 7, Windows 8.1, Windows 10 (32 & 64 versions supported)
  •     Linux
    •  Kernel  2.6.32 or later, glibc 2.9 or later (Redhat, Centos, Ubuntu and other variants of linux)
Workstation Backup
Workstation CrashPlan Backup

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:

OS Hardware Versions
Linux 1 GHZ+ x86-64 CPU
1GB Memory
250MB free drive space  		 2.6.13 or newer 2.6 series kernel
Oracle (Sun) Java version 1.6+
glibc 2.4+, cpio, Xorg, SWT
Mac 1 GHZ+ Intel CPU
1GB Memory
250MB free drive space		 10.11, 10.12, 10.13, 10.14, 10.15
 
Windows 1 GHZ+ CPU
1GB Memory
250MB free drive space		 Windows 7 and 10

 

CrashPlan Backup

Signup for the CrashPlan Backup Service
Email support

CrashPlan Requirements

Cost:

  •     $5 per computer per month plus $.0125 per GB per month

Supported Clients:

  •     Macintosh
    • 10.10, 10.11, 10.12, 10.13
  •     Windows
    • Windows 7, Windows 8.1, Windows 10 (32 & 64 versions supported)
  •     Linux
    •  Kernel 2.6.32 or later, glibc 2.9 or later (Redhat, Centos, Ubuntu and other variants of linux)
Partners TSM Backup
Server Backup Solution

MGB's Technical Services and Operations (TSO) offers a robust, multi-site server backup solution available for Research servers called Tivoli Storage Manager (TSM).  TSM saves a configurable amount of active, inactive and deleted file versions, collocated to an alternate datacenter for disaster recovery capabilities. Additional options are available to snapshot an entire server into an archive, and the tapes containing that archive can be shipped off-site to a secure vaulted site for multi-year data retention.  Data retention options are listed on the request form.

Supported Servers:

  • Windows 2008R2, 2012 and 2016
  • Redhat/CentOS Linux

Cost:

  • Free

How to request the service?

  1. Call the MGB Service Desk at 617-726-5085 and open a request with the TSM team.
  2. Download and complete this form. (Internal Sharepoint site,  MGB Username and password required)
  3. Send the completed form to the email address located at the top of the form.