Important note: Research Data Storage is currently in the pilot phase and not yet widely available for use. A communication will be sent to the community when it is available for general use.
Key benefits of Research Data Storage
Research Data Storage (RDS) is a service provided by the Office of Information Technology (OIT), offering research labs and university centers reliable data storage, with 34 PB of usable space designed for both short- and long-term needs. Optimized for cost-effectiveness and performance, it ensures reliable access to university research data. Currently in its pilot phase, RDS is a collaborative effort managed and maintained by OIT’s Office of Advanced Research Computing (OARC) and Enterprise Infrastructure.
Capacity and scalability
An on-premise solution that scales to handle large research datasets beyond conventional storage capacities.
Uninterrupted availability and protection
A three-site object storage system and two-site redundant storage configuration provide high data resilience and availability.
User-friendly access and management
Storage efficiency is optimized via standard protocol access, an active-active configuration, and end-user self-management.
Cost-effectiveness
A range of affordable cost models are available to ensure financial sustainability and maintain competitiveness with existing on-premise and cloud storage solutions.
Research Data Storage FAQ
What is the Research Data Storage platform?
Research Data Storage (RDS) is a service provided by the Office of Information Technology (OIT), managed and maintained by the Office of Advanced Research Computing (OARC) and Enterprise Infrastructure. The platform, currently containing 34PB of usable space, is intended for the short- to long-term storage of research data. It is optimized for cost over performance and therefore is not suitable for “real-time” or online processing jobs. In early 2025, the project is in a pilot phase with limited support.
What type of research data should be stored here?
At the moment, only non-sensitive data is permitted to be stored in RDS.
We do not monitor the data stored on the Research Data Storage (RDS) systems. The owner of any data stored or generated in RDS is fully responsible for its proper management and for complying with the relevant policies and regulations.
Is there a cost?
To establish a sustainable, efficient, and secure ecosystem for managing research data, the Research Data Task Force was created as a result of collaboration between the Office for Research, OIT, and Rutgers University Libraries. As part of its mission, the RDTF is responsible for assessing storage costs and developing a sustainable model that should be competitively priced compared to commercial providers once we enter the operational phase of RDS. There is no cost during the pilot phase of RDS.
How to request access to Research Data Storage?
While RDS has not yet entered the operational phase, interested individuals can join a waiting list by providing basic information about their needs. Please fill out the waitlist and information form.
Who do I contact if I have questions?
Please send all inquiries about RDS to the dedicated RDS email address, which is monitored via the ServiceNow ticketing system: research_storage@oarc.rutgers.edu.
Research Data Storage is provided under the strategic leadership of the Office of Information Technology (OIT) and is a partnership between OIT’s Enterprise Infrastructure (EI) and Enterprise Applications and Research Computing (EARC) divisions. EARC’s Office of Advanced Research Computing (OARC) manages RDS and provides all user support. If you have any questions about this service, please contact OARC.