ResearchDrive/Shared Drive - File Storage Options for Biochemistry Department Users
What file storage services are available?
The Biochemistry Department is utilizing services offered by DoIT to provide file storage services to labs, facilities and departmental offices. We primarily utilize two storage locations to fulfill our storage needs, the Biochemistry File Server (Shared Drive) and DoIT's ResearchDrive service.
Biochemistry PIs, and their lab users, should generally use ResearchDrive as their primary research data storage location. Any data that isn't lab data is stored on the Biochem File Server. This includes, committee folders, facility data, Biochemistry Office folders and teaching data.
How can I use ResearchDrive or Shared Drive storage?
The file services provide space that can be used to store UW relevant data. Each major storage area is configured to allow maximum flexibility to meet your storage needs. The file storage services are available anywhere with internet access by using the departmental or campus VPN services. Please see the Remote Access page for more information.
Each Biochemistry PI's Lab is configured to use the UW provided research.drive.wisc.edu service. There is more information about ResearchDrive available from DoIT but please note, all Biochemistry lab's ResearchDrive storage is administered and managed by Biochemistry IT. All requests for additional storage or support should be directed to the Biochemistry Job Board.
When managed by the Biochemistry IT the ResearchDrive storage is configured with the following major folders:
- General - This folder is the main storage location for the lab. All users authorized for access to the lab's data have read/write access to this directory. Labs are expected to create an organization structure that meets their needs and ensures data can be located as needed, avoids duplication of data, etc.
- PI - This folder is restricted to only the PI of the lab. Lab members should not have access to this folder.
- Special - This folder is for any directory that may require special permission structures. For example, a PI may want a folder that only they can add files, but all lab members can read those files. Or they may want to collaborate with another faculty member and allow them to access a specific folder in this location.
- UWBC-Dropbox - This optional folder allows UW-Biotechnology Center to add data to the lab's ResearchDrive storage. Any member of the lab is able to read or delete data from this location. Lab members are not able to add any data to this folder. If your lab utilizes UW-Biotechnology Center and doesn't have this folder, please open a ticket on the Job Board to request it.
There are a number of other shares available on biochem.drive.wisc.edu. These locations are only accessible to users with permissions to data within each specific share and may include:
- Committees - Biochemistry departmental committees can request a folder within this share to store committee related data.
- Facilities - A location for departmental facilities to store internal and external data as needed. This is the share you need to use to work with the Communications, etc. The Communications group has dedicated instructions available on their Intranet page.
- Groups - This share is used for labs that may no longer meet the PI requirements for research.drive.wisc.edu. An example would include certain Emeritus PI's.
- Office - Used by the various Biochemistry Office groups.
- Teaching - Used by the Biochemistry Teaching staff.
Are ResearchDrive and Shared Drive backed up?
Yes! - Data on both research.drive.wisc.edu and biochem.drive.wisc.edu is automatically backed up daily and replicated offsite for additional data protection. Snapshots are taken once a day and kept for 14 days, and then weekly snapshots are kept for an additional two to five weeks depending on the storage location. This allows data recovery for accidently deleted or damaged files and folders within the past four to seven weeks. DoIT maintains the latest information about ResearchDrive (lab storage) backups.
If you think you may have accidently deleted files that you may need, please create a ticket on the Biochemistry Job Board immediately. The sooner we are informed about data that needs to be restored the better the chance of recovery.
How do I connect to ResearchDrive or Shared Drive storage?
For connecting to a PI ResearchDrive, see ResearchDrive - Mounting a Drive.
For connecting to the Biochemistry Shared Drive, see Shared Drive - Mounting a Drive.
Communications specific instructions are available, see Communications Intranet - Connect to Media File Storage
What other file sharing options are available?
The University of Wisconsin-Madison has multiple agreements with vendors providing file storage and collaboration options. Please note that these services are generally tied to an individual user and do not ensure data remains accessible to the department after a user leaves, may not offer the same level of backup, etc. When using these services for UW related work, you MUST ensure you are authenticated with your UW NetID account and not a personal login.
The University of Wisconsin-Madison and Biochemistry Department do not recommend or support the use of Dropbox for UW related work. Please use one of the listed services if you want an online storage and file sharing solution.