Laptop/Desktop computer

McMaster Dataverse

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Description

McMaster Dataverse a collection within Borealis, the Canadian Dataverse Repository. McMaster Dataverse is our Institutional Data Repository, a place for researchers to share and archive their research data. Dataverse is an open source repository software developed at Harvard which provides secure access controls, licensing, version management, data citation, DOI minting, and more.

Security

Dataverse should not be used to store medium or high risk data. In some instances, data being placed on Dataverse should be kept locked with only metadata available. Other researchers who wish to re-use that data could then sign a data sharing agreement before obtaining access.

Storage Available

Contact us if you are depositing over 10 GB.

Cost

No cost for users.

File size limits

2.5 GB

Backup details

Borealis makes backup copies of the data you upload regularly in the event of a server or system malfunction, malicious attack, or other technical issue. All datasets receive monthly integrity checks in combination with safe storage to protect against data loss and corruption, as outlined in the Borealis Preservation Plan.

 

Data hosting location

Data is stored in the Ontario Library Research Cloud (OLRC). The OLRC is a community cloud storage network comprised of five storage nodes located at the University of Toronto, the University of Guelph, the University of Ottawa, York University, and Queen’s University.

Sharing capabilities

Any data uploaded to McMaster Dataverse by default is open but datasets or individual files can be restricted and made available to only authorized users through an approval process you control.

Example use case

Dataverse is a great place for depositing data for sharing, re-use, or preservation once a research project is complete. Many journals and funders now require sharing of data.

Contact
How to get started

Researchers can login to Dataverse using their MacID and password. They can then upload a dataset which goes through a curation review process by McMaster RDM staff.

Technical Complexity

Medium

Access protocol

Web portal

Summary
Store, share, publish and discover research data

Secure Empirical Analysis Lab (SEAL)

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Description

SEAL is a secure data lab that provides a safe environment for hosting confidential data. Data is hosted at the SEAL computer laboratory in the Wilson building and available in person or through secure remote access. The Laboratory has several levels of security, allowing for the storage and protection of sensitive data.  The lab provides statistical and data analysis software. 

Security

Encrypted remote access, and secure local access in Wilson Hall.

Storage Available

Unlimited

Cost

1200$/year +. McMaster Faculty of Social Sciences offers some fee assistance for researchers.

File size limits

n/a

Backup details

Data is backed up on a revolving basis to local drives.  SEAL has encrypted off-site backup.

Data hosting location

L. R. Wilson building

Sharing capabilities

All users need to be approved for access. External researchers can gain access.

Example use case

Researchers working with highly sensitive or restricted data (eg. personal health or financial data) should consider SEAL for data security reasons

Website
Contact

Lily Wang

seal@mcmaster.ca

How to get started

Researchers or research groups can get a quote by contacting Lily Wang, the SEAL lab manager.

Technical Complexity

High

Access protocol

Secure local access in the SEAL computer lab or encrypted remote access using MobiKey

Summary
Secure data lab that provides a safe environment for hosting confidential data.

RHPCS Backup

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Description

RHPCS’ mandate is to support advanced and high-performance computing installations as a central part of the university infrastructure. RHPCS can build implement a backup solution for your locally stored data. 

Security

Data is securely stored.

Storage Available

1 TB +

Cost

500$/year, set-up fee 125$, extra storage 40$/TB/year

File size limits

n/a

Backup details

Nightly, 14-day rotating cycle; Restore services through RHPCS.

Data hosting location

A.B. Bourns building

Sharing capabilities

n/a

Example use case

Medium or high risk data that should be kept on McMaster premises can be automatically backed up using this RHPCS service.

Website
Contact

rhpcs@mcmaster.ca

How to get started

RHPCS will work with you to make sure your needs are met. Send an email to rhpcs@mcmaster.ca to start.

Technical Complexity

Low

Access protocol

Desktop based software.

Summary
Automated backup of your research computers

RHPCS Server

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Description

RHPCS’ mandate is to support advanced and high-performance computing installations as a central part of the university infrastructure. RHPCS can build a custom file server for your research group or department. File servers provide reliable, secure access to data.

Security

Servers can be configured to provide secure access only.

Storage Available

1 TB + 

Cost

500$/year, set-up fee 500$, extra storage 80$/TB/year

File size limits

n/a

Backup details

Nightly, 14-day rotating cycle; Restore services through RHPCS.

Data hosting location

A.B. Bourns building 

Sharing capabilities

File server access is based on user accounts. File servers can be set up with accounts with different permissions for all required users.

Example use case

RHPCS servers are a good option for research groups needing large ammounts of data storage for data that is actively being used. 

Website
Contact

rhpcs@mcmaster.ca

How to get started

RHPCS will work with you to make sure your needs are met. Send an email to rhpcs@mcmaster.ca to start.

Technical Complexity

Low-High

Access protocol

SMB, NFS, AFP, SFTP, or other network file access protocols.

Summary
Build a research computing and storage cluster for your research group

OneDrive (institutional)

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Description

McMaster OneDrive is a file hosting service and synchronization service operated by Microsoft as part of its Office suite of software.

Security

OneDrive data is encrypted while in transit and at rest on OneDrive servers. Medium and High risk data must be manually encrypted before being uploaded to OneDrive.

Storage Available

Students and POI/affiliates are allocated 20 GB; employees are allocated 100 GB.

Cost

Free for all McMaster faculty, staff and students

File size limits

250 GB

Backup details

Ongoing real-time sync.
Unlimited version history.

Data hosting location

OneDrive and Teams data is stored in Canadian servers.

Sharing capabilities

Files and folders can be shared with other oneDrive users or groups, with differing levels of permissions. Files and folders can also be shared externally with links. Microsoft Office documents can be worked on collaboratively.

Example use case

OneDrive is a great place for storing low risk tabular data. Excel files can be worked on collaboratively.

Website

McMaster OneDrive: https://office365.mcmaster.ca/office-365-3/applications/ms-onedrive/

Contact

OneDrive is administered by UTS

How to get started

McMaster users can login to office365.mcmaster.ca or office.ca with their MacID and password to access OneDrive online or download the desktop app.

Technical Complexity

Low

Access protocol

Web portal, desktop syncing integration for Mac, Windows, and Linux as well as mobile apps for Android and iOS.

Summary
Save all your work and files to OneDrive and get them from any device, anywhere

MacDrop

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Description

MacDrop is a web service to store and transfer files. It can be used to send personal identifiable information securely.  It can be used to send large attachments that cannot otherwise be sent via email. MacDrop is only available to Faculty of Health Sciences users.

Security

Medium and High risk data must be manually encrypted before being uploaded to MacDrop.

Storage Available

2 GB +

Cost

Free for FHS, Above 2 GB costs extra

File size limits

n/a

Backup details

Ongoing real-time sync. Versions are kept indefinitely so long as versions don’t exceed 50% of user’s quota.

Data hosting location

McMaster Health Science Centre

Sharing capabilities

Users are able to log in to a webpage to upload, download and share files securely with other users.

Example use case

Sharing a file that is too large to email. 

Contact

Graig Kelly

905-525-9140 ext. 22094

gkelly@mcmaster.ca

How to get started

FHS users can simply login with MacID and password.

Technical Complexity

Low

Access protocol

Web portal

Summary
Web service to store and transfer files

MacDrive

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Description

MacDrive is a customized McMaster version of Seafile, which is an open source EFSS (Enterprise File Synchronization and Sharing) solution, similar to Dropbox.  It allows people and teams to store files on a central server and access them via a web interface or client on a device. These can be desktops, laptops, and mobile devices. All copies are automatically synchronized whenever one of the copies is modified. Files are easily accessible, and can be quickly and securely shared.

Security

MacDrive 'Libraries' or folders can be encrypted online and locked with a password. Data downloaded to a device is stored unencrypted. Medium and High risk data must be manually encrypted before being uploaded to MacDrive.

Storage Available

300 GB is provided to employees. Researchers can request that collaborators be provided access in order to have the ability to see Researcher’s shares.  No storage is provided to them.

Cost

Free for current McMaster employees – faculty or staff.

File size limits

n/a

Backup details

Ongoing real-time sync. 4-month version history. Full Library restore through UTS.

Data hosting location

Replicated clusters in Gilmour Hall and JHE

Sharing capabilities

Files and folders can be shared with other MacDrive users or MacDrive groups, with differing levels of permissions. Files and folders can also be shared externally with links for download. Folders can be set up so that files can be uploaded by non-users.

Example use case

Research participants, interviewers, or data collecters can upload documents to an encrypted folder without having access to the rest of the folder's contents. 

Website

MacDrive: https://macdrive.mcmaster.ca/

Documentation: https://goo.gl/AvRGwx 

Contact

MacDrive is administered by UTS

How to get started

Current McMaster employees – faculty or staff –will generally be granted a MacDrive automatically, starting in the Spring / Summer 2018 academic term. If you are a current employee and were not granted a MacDrive account automatically, please go to the UTS Contact Us page to request access. 

This includes researchers affiliated through HHSC, Persons of Interest (POIs) and other individuals that may have been missed in the automatic enrollment process. Other potential users will also be able to access MacDrive upon request from a faculty or staff member. This can include student staff members, RAs, TAs, community members, collaborators, and anyone else with whom you need to share your data.

Researchers can request that their Grad students be provided access in order to have the ability to see Researcher’s shares.  No storage is provided to Grad Students.

Technical Complexity

Low

Access protocol

Web portal, Seafile apps provides desktop syncing integration for Mac, Windows, and Linux as well as mobile apps for Android and iOS.

Summary
File Synchronization and Sharing solution
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