MinerAlert
MinerAlert
UTEP researchers have access to multiple research storage options designed to support a wide range of data intensive workflows. Faculty may provision centrally managed storage resources directly through UTEP Research Academic Data Center (RADC) or request storage through the UT System via the Texas Advanced Computing Center (TACC). These resources can be shared with graduate and undergraduate student researchers as part of sponsored projects or research groups; however, all requests, allocations, and billing arrangements must be initiated and managed by faculty or staff.
|
Provider |
Typical Cost |
Included Size/Quota |
Durability/Backup |
Eligibility/Billing |
File Transfer |
Typical Use |
|
UTEP RADC Storage Drives |
$155 per TB every 5 years. |
PI purchases desired capacity |
Fault-tolerant storage; backups; secure networks & physical controls |
UTEP faculty/staff via request; billed to grants/start‑up/department; |
NFS (Linux), SMB (Windows/macOS); campus/VPN access |
General research data; departmental/project shares; mixed OS environments |
|
TACC Corral |
First 5 TB free for UT System PIs on one project; then $60/TB/year |
Request any size; 200k files per TB limit |
Primary online storage with tape-based replica in separate datacenter |
Compute allocation not required |
SCP/SFTP; GUI tools (e.g., Cyberduck); Globus available on many systems |
Persistent shared datasets; collaboration; large collections |
|
TACC Ranch |
Allocated resource tied to TACC projects (pricing not applicable; policy-based) |
Default user allocation exists; project spaces by request |
Single-copy, tape-backed archival system; not backed up or replicated |
Requires active allocation on TACC compute resources |
SSH-based transfers; Globus often available via endpoints |
Long-term archival of finalized data with infrequent access |
The UTEP RADC provides centrally managed storage usable from Linux (NFS) and Windows/macOS (SMB). The platform emphasizes data preservation through fault tolerance (RAID), backups, secure facilities, encrypted networks, firewalls, and strong authentication.
Management & Support
Post‑Grant Access
PIs may retain access to data at no additional cost after a grant ends, provided they remain within the originally purchased capacity.
|
Protocol |
Best For |
Client OS |
Access Control & Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Linux Shares (NFS) |
Linux/HPC workflows; shared datasets; app/project data across Linux hosts |
Linux/Unix (native) |
Mount within UTEP network/VPN as needed; integrates with UNIX permissions |
|
Windows Shares (SMB) |
Departmental/project shares; home drives; mixed OS with Windows‑first compatibility |
Windows (native), macOS (supported) |
AD/NTFS permissions; VPN required when on UTEP WiFi/remote; copy‑then‑verify for Spectrum Scale |
When an allocation for high‑performance computing is provided through RADC, users are granted access by default to three storage options within the cluster environment. Additional project‑level storage may be requested as needed and shared across users, such as research projects or laboratory groups. Base resources are free of charge and additional storage costs will depend on size needs.
|
Storage Type |
Quota |
Backup |
Recommended Use |
Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Home |
10 GB |
Backed up |
Configs, small scripts, critical files |
|
|
Work |
100 GB |
Not backed up |
Active research data |
|
|
Scratch |
Unlimited* |
Not backed up |
Short‑term, high‑throughput I/O |
Auto‑purge of files unused for 7 days |
|
Project Storage |
Starting from 1TB |
Not backed up |
Shared scientific data; lab project |
Ask RADC for free and paid size values. |
Corral (High‑Performance Storage & Data Management)
Corral provides persistent, high‑reliability storage with a tape‑based replica at a secondary datacenter. UT System PIs receive 5 TB at no cost on one project; additional storage is $60/TB/year. A limit of 200,000 files per allocated TB applies. Access is granted via a TACC allocation (compute allocation not required).
Protected Data (HIPAA/FERPA/CUI, etc.)
For sensitive or regulated data, request TACC’s Protected Data Service (PDS). Approval and appropriate agreements are required prior to receiving a protected allocation
Ranch (Archival Tape Storage)
Ranch is an allocated, tape‑backed archival system intended for long‑term storage of finalized data that changes infrequently. It is a single‑copy archive (not backed up or replicated) and requires an active allocation on a TACC compute resource.
|
Storage Type |
Quota |
Backup |
Recommended Use |
Notes |
|
Home |
25 GB |
Backed up |
cron jobs, scripts and templates, environment settings, compilations |
|
|
Work |
1024 GB (1TB) |
Not backed up |
software installations, original datasets that can't be reproduced. |
|
|
Scratch |
Unlimited* |
Not backed up |
Reproducible datasets, I/O files: temporary files, checkpoint/restart files, job output files. |
Auto‑purge |