# Overview

Research data, encompassing experimental, fabrication, and simulation data, is initially
stored on individual project members' laptops/desktop PCs and collaborative storage
devices within contributing working groups/institutes. The data is organized into
type-dependent folder structures, with each directory containing an INFO file (.txt
or .md) documenting the data generation process and a README file (.txt or .md) describing
the directory hierarchy. Non-sensitive experimental data is managed in [eLabFTW](../eln/elabftw.md).
Sensitive and personal medical data will be pseudonymously stored in REDCap electronic
data capture system at the Department of Neurology (established and EU GDPR compliant
database for clinical research).

## Storage

The computing centre provides various services for storage.

Service | Quota (default) | Backup (by Computing Centre)
------- | --------------- | ----------------------------
[Home network drive](./home_drive.md) | 50GB[^1] | Daily (Incremental backups for the last 60 days)
[Project network drive](./network_drive.md) | 50GB[^1] | Daily (Incremental backups for the last 60 days)
[Tape storage](./tape_storage.md) | 500GB | No data backup
[CAU-Cloud Sync & Share](./cau_cloud.md) | 20 GB per user[^2] | Ideally, the users can regulate this in self-service. The recycle bin is used for this purpose, which, by the way, is not counted towards the quota.[^3]
[GitLab RZ CAU](../version_management/cau_gitlab.md) | 20GB per repository | Daily (Incremental backups for the last 60 days)
[Storage service: SAMBA](https://www.rz.uni-kiel.de/en/our-portfolio/storage/storage-service-samba) (deprecated) | - | -

## Backup

To ensure data security, backups should run daily through [rsync](https://linux.die.net/man/1/rsync)-based
([DeltaCopy](http://www.aboutmyip.com/AboutMyXApp/DeltaCopy.jsp) on Microsoft Windows
Systems) scripts using an encrypted connection, executed on weekdays.

Software and code managed in [Gitlab RZ CAU](../version_management/cau_gitlab.md)
do not need to be backed up separately.

:::{note}
The PIs of the projects are accountable for data storage and backup. Daily backups
are mandatory, with files being synchronized to either the [home](./home_drive.md)
or [project network drives](./network_drive.md) using a secure, encrypted connection.
:::

**Example:**

```sh
# Mount the network drive to the local directory
sudo mount -t cifs //my_network_path /mnt/my_home_drive -o uid=1000,gid=1000,rw,user,username=suabc123,domain=uni-kiel.de

# Use rsync to backup data from a source directory to the mounted network drive
rsync -av --delete /path/to/source/directory /mnt/my_home_drive/backup/

# Explanation of rsync options used:
# -a: Archive mode (preserves permissions, ownership, timestamps, etc.)
# -v: Verbose mode (provides detailed output)
# --delete: Deletes any files in the backup directory that are not present in the source directory

# Unmount the network drive after backup is completed
sudo umount /mnt/my_home_drive

```

[^1]: Upon informal request to [hotline@rz.uni-kiel.de](mailto:hotline@rz.uni-kiel.de), more storage space is provided within reasonable limits.
[^2]: Upon informal request to [cloud@rz.uni-kiel.de](mailto:cloud@rz.uni-kiel.de), more storage space is provided within reasonable limits.
[^3]: The data centre guarantees the restoration of the data for 7 days regardless of the quota and up to 30 days if the recycle bin still fits into the quota. In addition, the data centre provides daily incremental backups of the last 60 days from which files can be replicated.