At IU, how can I apply for an account on the MDSS or RFS?

Accounts on the Research File System (RFS) and Massive Data Storage Service (MDSS) are available to graduate students, faculty, and staff at all Indiana University campuses. If you are an undergraduate at any IU campus and need access to RFS or MDSS, you must be sponsored by a faculty member for specific research projects. For information about requesting a group, departmental, or lab account on the MDSS or RFS, see the MDSS Starter Kit (the information there applies to both MDSS and RFS accounts).

To apply for an account on the Massive Data Storage Service (MDSS) or the Research File System (RFS) at Indiana University, follow the instructions below.

For more information about IU's distributed storage services, visit:

Individual and IU Affiliate accounts

To apply for an account on the MDSS or RFS if you have an individual or affiliate Network ID, follow these steps:

1. Connect to the Account Management Service at: https://itaccounts.iu.edu/

   Note: By default, the AMS does not give hourly staff the option of requesting an MDSS or RFS account. Instead, the staff or faculty supervisor must send an email request to  valid@indiana.edu .

2. Click Manage my IU computing accounts, and log in with your Network ID.
   
   
3. Click create more accounts.
   
   
4. Select the radio button next to Massive Data Storage Service (MDSS) or Research File System (RFS), and then click Create Account.
   
   
5. On the next page, you will need to supply the following information:
   
   
   • Your full name, department, phone number, and preferred email address
   • Your Network ID username
   • An estimate of how much storage space you will need immediately
   • An estimate of how much storage space you will need within 6 months
   • An estimate of how much storage space you will need within the next 12 months and beyond
   • An estimate of the number of files and the average file size
   • How long you will need the storage
   • A brief description of the project or how you intend to use the MDSS

   Be sure to provide your preferred email address on this form; UITS will need to contact you at this address when your account is set up.

6. Once you have filled out the form, click submit. On the next page, enter your Network ID passphrase. Leave the other fields blank to make the MDSS passphrase the same as your Network ID passphrase (recommended). Now click the Create Account button.
   
   
7. You will receive an email message informing you when your account is ready for use.

Group or departmental accounts

To apply for a group or departmental MDSS or RFS account, visit the AMS at:

Follow the prompts to select and create a group account, and then log into the AMS again with that account to request an MDSS or RFS account as described above. Note that in order to request a group account, you must be full-time faculty or staff.

Also see:

• Can UITS restore a file in RFS or MDSS that I deleted accidentally?
• How do I change my MDSS or RFS password?
• Are the data stored on the MDSS backed up?
• At IU, on the RFS or MDSS, how much space is available to me?
• At IU, how do I access the MDSS?
• On Libra, how do I use the MDSS/HPSS?
• How can I have scripts authenticate to get access to the MDSS?