At IU, what is the Research File System (RFS)?
UITS provides a data storage service, the Research File System (RFS), specifically to support the needs of Indiana University researchers. Requests from non-research users to use the service will be handled on a case-by-case basis.
RFS gives researchers access to their files from a broad range of locations, and enables group collaboration through file sharing. UITS expects to expand the service in the future to support new functionality, such as grid computing and inter-institutional file sharing. Individual users start with a 10 GB quota, and collaborators can request additional quota for projects. Data in RFS at IU are backed up regularly.
Note: RFS is HIPAA-aligned. However, RFS does not encrypt data when storing them to disk. RFS users should encrypt electronic protected health information (ePHI) data before storing them on RFS.
RFS is based on OpenAFS, an open-source version of the Andrew File System (AFS), enabling UITS to build a scalable and robust storage system.
If you are a researcher using RFS, you can map or mount your RFS account to your workstation using the instructions in At IU, how do I map or mount my RFS account to my workstation? Alternatively, you may connect to RFS:
- Through an OpenAFS client; see At IU, how do I install and configure OpenAFS on my workstation for use with the RFS?
- Using RFSWeb in a web browser; see At IU, what is RFSWeb and how do I use it?
- Via SFTP; see At IU, can I use FTP or SFTP to access my RFS space?
IU researchers can create RFS accounts using the Account Management System (AMS); see At IU, how can I apply for an account on the SDA or RFS?
Note: Archival storage for IU researchers is also available on the Scholarly Data Archive (SDA).
If you have questions, email Research Storage.
Last modified on January 03, 2012.
