CFS, CFS Lite and BSD Service Comparison

Reference Links

  • Central File Store
  • Bulk Scientific Data
  • Central File Store Lite (CFS Lite)

    The following table to provide a quick overview of the three storage options available through IT. If you have specific questions, contact the Help Desk at x8940.

      Central File Store
      (CFS)      		 Central File Store Lite
      (CFS Lite)      		 Bulk Scientific Data
      BSD)
      Cross Platform Compatible Yes Yes Yes
      (except Mac OSX 10.4 and Older)
      Disk Space Allotment First 10 GB are free
      (Billable 1)      		 Available in units of
      1 TeraByte (TB)
      (Billable 1)      		 Available in units of
      1 TeraByte (TB)
      (Billable 1)
      Able to Share With
      Your Own Lab/Dept      		 Yes Yes Yes
      Able to Share With
      Other Labs/Depts      		 Yes Yes No
      Automatic Daily Backups
      (Included)      		 Yes No No
      Price Comparison 1 High 1 Medium Low

    Optional Data Protection Services


      Central File Store
      (CFS)      		 Central File Store Lite
      (CFS Lite)      		 Bulk Scientific Data
      BSD)
      One-Time Backups 2 Yes
      (Billable 1)      		 Yes
      (Billable 1)      		 Yes
      (Billable 1)
      Synchronization Backups 3 No Yes
      (Billable 1)      		 Yes
      (Billable 1)


    1. For detailed pricing, visit the rates page.

      Because of the provided high level of redundacy of the storage system and included services such as high level disaster recover capabilities which includes having duplicate storage system and drives located in two seperate data centers on opposite sides of campus and automated daily backups, this makes CFS storage expensive.

    2. One-Time Backup: On a per request basis, IT can create a tape backup of your data stored on your share. The backed up data will be given to you in on current backup technology upon completion.

    3. Synchronization: IT can replicate your data to another disk in real time (about 5 minute delay). This will require the purchase of additional CFS Lite disk space at a minimum that is equivalent to that of your current active CFS Lite space. CFS Lite storage rates apply. Synchronization is not a backup solution. Its primary purpose is for data recovery in case our primary data storage system where you store your data files becomes unavailable. Occasionally it can be used to restore files that were accidently deleted which were stored on the primary data storage location/server. Only the last modified file version is maintained on secondary data storage system where the data is synchronized too.. Storage rates apply.