Fileservers and Networks

The Skirball Institute Servers

Known collectively as Saturn and also as mcbi-34, these Silicon Graphics Origin servers are the heart of the institute's digital infrastructure. All Skirball workers have access to Saturn through a password issued by the System Administrator, Joshua Hart. Among other important services, Saturn provides several Gigabytes of RAID on-line storage to each research group in the institute. Additional capacity is provided by Titan (also known as titan.skb.med.nyu.edu) which provides access to non-institute members wishing to use the Media Services facilities.

Together, these servers free users from the inconvenience and hazards of storing and transporting files on removable disks or tapes, and provide easy, global access to large amounts of data.

Why is On-line Better?

There are several advantages to storing computer files on a central file server such as Saturn rather than on removable media or the hard drives built into desktop computers. Security Saturn is in a well-secured room.

Access to Saturn is via password only.

Saturn's RAID hard drive array provides built-in protection against disk failure.

Saturn is regularly backed up to DLT tape.

An Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) protects Saturn against power surges and power failures.

Convenience Saturn provides secure access from any computer on the internet.

Collaborative projects may be easily accessed by all authorized participants.

The various files related to an ongoing project may be stored in a single, up-to-date location rather than scattered among an assortment of desktop computers and removable media.

Using On-line Storage

Every Skirball institute worker is issued a user volume, a personal storage area bearing his or her name, on Saturn. Within this area is a link to the collaborative storage area of the entire research group. These areas are best used for the storage of current projects and permanent lab resources. A group leader or designee may monitor the size of each group member's storage area to keep the group's total within its allocation. Files associated with completed projects or departed personnel are archived onto CD-ROM and then removed from on-line storage. Additionally, all institute workers have access to a temporary storage area called 7 Day Parking (temporary storage automatically emptied weekly), Public Stuff,and DMC, which is of particular importance to users of the institute's digital print and 35mm slide-making services.

Follow this link for instructions on connecting to Saturn and Titan.