Store data and cooperate
The”life cycle” of research data spans several years and may be divided in phases with various demands on the management of data.
Research data are public records and as a public authority the university has a responsibility for how data is handled and stored. Research data should by default be stored on platforms that are long-term administered, provide good solutions for back-up and has an adequate safety-level. If data has a high protective value, i.e. demands for secrecy och sensitive personal information, there are specific demands for storage that needs to be addressed, see Rules and guidelines for research data.
Note that personal data should currently not be stored in the US and if stored in countries outside EU/EES adequate level of protection for the data must be assured.
Please contact the Research Data Office (dataoffice@uu.se) if you have questions.
Platforms for active data/projects
Platforms for active data are mainly used for ongoing projects, when there is a need for storing, sharing and working actively with data and accompanying documents. Some platforms also have support for high performance computation of data.
When choosing a platform for storing data you should consider compatibility of operative systems; if the platform supports versioning of files and documents; how authentication of users is solved, if content can be edited via a web-browser, etc.
Uppsala University and the national SNIC consortia offers services for active data. Note that this is a changing landscape where services can change faster than this page is being updated.
Common for all services in the list below:
- They have long-term administration plan
- They offer solutions for back up of files
- Usage in most cases against a fee depending on safety level, type of access, backup solution, etc. Some services are free of charge, Allvis (up to 200 Gb of storage) and most services from SNIC.
- Files can be shared with users outside UU
Services run or administered by Uppsala University
- Allvis - A platform for storing and sharing data and project documentation during an ongoing research project. Best suited for projects that doesn´t handle large volumes of data. Up to 200 Gb storage is free of charge. Allvis fullfills KRT-value 233 and is administered by University IT Services (UIT).
- UIT Data storage for ongoing projects, with selectable levels of service and security. Cost is depending on the chosen level. UIT also offer complementary services and bespoke solutions according to the needs of the user. Feel free to contact dataoffice@uu.se or IT Support to discuss options.
- Vesta - Secure storage and analysis of data. Hardware key for secure login with two-factor authentication. Fulfills the KRT-value 332.
- Electronic Lab Notebook (ELN) – ELN is a digital platform for research documentation and planning. It can be used for storing data, results and documentation. Cost for using ELN.
Platforms administered by the Department of Information Technology
- UPPMAX - (Uppsala Multidisciplinary Center for Advanced Computational Science) is the main service and competence center at Uppsala University for high performance computing (HPC) and large-scale storage. UPPMAX is one of six SNIC-centers and contributes with computing resources in education at UU. Projects must apply for an account on the platform.
National infrastructures that can be used by researchers at UU
- SNIC - A national infrastructure with regional centers, providing services in high performance computing and associated storage. Users need to apply for access to the service. Applications with storage needs up to 1 Tb are usually granted, but for projects whose data exceeds 1 Tb there is a selection process. The service is compatible with most operative systems (via a SSH-client). Costs for storage and computing services are covered by SNIC. Users can also buy extra storage with four years running time. Research projects with sensitive data can use SNIC SENS.
- Swestore – A storage service provided by SNIC. Not intended as a solution for backup or long-term archiving of data. The service is compatible with most operative systems (via a SSH-client). Users need to apply for access to the service. SNIC covers cost for storage. Other infrastructures can also apply for storage of data on Swestore.
Other platforms and services outside Uppsala University
- Repositories and platforms run by the research community. Research data is often stored and processed at services administered by the international research community. These services are generally of high quality with a long-term commitment.
- Sunet Box - A procured service for file storage with options to chare files and content with colleagues at Swedish universities and other external colleagues.
- Commercial storage services. There are a number of commercial services that offers storage and complementing solutions, often with an attractive price level. When using external services for storage or computing it´s important to scrutinize agreements and conditions for use. Remember that cloud-based storage solutions offered by international companies may be governed by legislation in other countries, and that information stored in “the cloud” is often managed in a number of countries. It´s difficult to secure that a commercial service will have a long-term commitment that corresponds with the demands of handling information at a Swedish university. Further information about the usage of cloud services.