• On-Site Network Storage - We offer two options for on-site network drive storage which are available to all groups. Both of these are Windows file servers and should be used where file locking, many changes to many files, and integrated authentication are desired. Central authentication and maintenance by IT Operations allows for easy changes to group membership and access.  Either of these options allows a limited amount of free file storage for research.  More space can be purchased for a fee but larger storage needs will likely need to be accommodated by an alternative solution.

• Secured File Server - This file server is behind both a network and host-based firewall. Storage on this requires that you are on one of our secured networks or that you are running the GlobalProtect VPN to access the file server. Authentication is handled through the campus Active Directory system, which uses directory ID and password. 

• Standard File Server - This file server has a simple host-based firewall. This is accessible from anywhere on campus with authentication. Authentication is handled through the campus Active Directory system, which uses directory ID and password. Our recommendation: Research groups and professors should use this if the lab configuration is done using Choices 2 or 3 on the Support Options document OR if the group is forced to be in a mixed configuration. Staff members may not use this file server.

• Google Drive - This option is available to all of our customers. Google Drive is part of everyone's Google account and creating, sharing, and editing files is in the hands of our customers. This is the type of storage that would be recommended for collaboration or personal storage.  We recommend using shared drives for any collaboration to avoid issues of files being deleted when the owner leaves UMD.  Add the use of Google Drive File Stream to make this a more seamless working environment on a desktop PC. 

  • Form to Request a Google Shared Drive (1 TB quota and free increases up to 5 TB)

• Box.com - This offers the same style of management as Google Drive, but is available both for individuals and groups by contacting the department. Individual and group accounts allow for unlimited storage. Campus authentication is provided.

• Glue/TerpConnect AFS storage - This is file storage that is available to anyone on campus.  Groups can request additional space from the department. Use the Glue/TerpConnect AFS storage if you are primarily using the Glue/TerpConnect (Linux) system and/or have a mixture of Glue/TerpConnect and other workstations in your lab.
  
  
• Isilon UMD Networked Storage Services - The Division of Information Technology (DIT) at UMD offers a service to the campus research, academic and administrative community to provide unstructured data storage at a competitive cost. The Networked Storage Service (NSS) is a networked storage solution hosted by EMC's Isilon NAS storage arrays. EMC Isilon has been a leading provider of highly redundant and ultra-scalable data storage to many research institutions and universities.
  
  
• If none of the above options meet your needs, you can purchase a Network Attached Storage device.  We recommend the following option.
  
  • Synology - You should purchase 2 and put them in different locations preferably in a data center environment on campus.  Set up snapshots locally for backup and replicate the data to the other device.  There are many different models in terms of sizing.  We are happy to consult on a purchase and we will update your systems monthly for you but the rest of the management is up to the research group that is purchasing the device.

In addition to using these services individually, there are ways to make some of them automatically connect when you log into UMD computers. Please see our article on Kumo for further information.