How to back up your data
Where to store data
Your home folder acts as both a backup and publication place. In order to ensure that your data doesn’t get lost, it (or a copy of it) should ideally be stored on your home folder on the server until you are ready for it to be published. This copy should be updated as necessary. When it’s ready to be published you can submit a ticket. Storing it on the server ensures that it will be backed up and recoverable if something happens to the original data. Data in the home folders will not be automatically published (unless you send a request through to the data curation team) so your home folder can be used to store data that you are in the process of working on. If you need help with the process of storing your data, submit a ticket to the data curation team. When you are ready for it to be published you can follow the steps described here.
What is the server
The server is a centralised resource that you can access from your individual computers when you are in the office. You all have individual home folders that are located on the server and can be used to securely store data, while the communal areas are used in different ways to process and accession data into the MIMS repository. The home folders are only accessible to you and to the data curation and system administration teams. The teams will not move or copy the data in your home folder without your permission.
How to access the server
The server can be accessed in several ways, which the Systems Administration team can help set up on your computer. You can submit a ticket to the Systems Administration team with any questions.
How to backup data
By putting your data on the server, you ensure that it will be automatically backed up offsite.
If it’s not on the server...
If you are not placing your data on the server then you will be responsible for ensuring that it is backed up. This can be done by regularly (daily if necessary) backing the data up onto external devices (hard drives or flash drives) that are kept off site in a secure location as well as onto an online storage system. These should be checked on a regular basis to ensure that the data is still accessible.
