Service category: Backup & Storage

Several file servers are available for research and teaching purposes. One of the file servers is used to support the PC clusters and hosts the Active Directory profiles and home directories used for this purpose, whilst the others are available to provide shares for departments. Access to the shares is via DFS paths (e.g. \\uni-ulm.de\institute\physik) using the SMB protocol. The Active Directory account provided by the kiz (Communication and Information Centre) is used for authentication. 

service features

For the PC clusters:

• Used to provide the roaming profiles and home directories available in the PC clusters
• Data is backed up daily via the kiz (Communication and Information Centre) backup system.
• Snapshots are created hourly, with 48 hourly and 28 daily snapshots retained. The snapshots can be accessed via the Windows Previous Versions feature.
• Access from devices not in the PC clusters is via a DFS path, exclusively via the SMB protocol, and is restricted to the University’s IP address range (134.60/16 nzw 2001:7c0:3100::/40). To access the system from outside this network, a VPN connection to the campus network must be established. The corresponding path is \\uni-ulm.de\institute\homes

For the institutional storage areas: 

• Access is via a DFS path, exclusively via the SMB protocol, and is restricted to the University’s IP address range (134.60/16 nzw 2001:7c0:3100::/40). To access these from outside this network, a VPN connection to the campus network must be established.
• The folder structure of the share is designed in consultation between the file server administrators and the customers, and is implemented by the file server administrators.
• Access rights to the folders within the share are managed via Grouper.
• The service provides a basic provision of central data storage (no personalised home directories) and is therefore limited in terms of storage capacity. Up to 5TB is available free of charge.
• Snapshots are included in the agreed data allowance. Unless otherwise agreed, snapshots are created hourly, with 48 hourly and 28 daily snapshots retained. The snapshots can be accessed via the Windows Previous Versions feature. 
• A daily backup of the data is carried out via the kiz (Communication and Information Centre) backup system.

User groups

For the PC clusters:
Authorised users of the PC clusters

For the institutional storage areas:
Institutes and departments of Ulm University (exclusively for official and research purposes)

Service hours

24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year

Necessary maintenance work, such as security updates, is generally carried out during off-peak hours (6.00–7.00, 21.00–22.00).

application modalities

Access to the file server provided for the PC clusters is included in the Active Directory account provided by kiz.

To have a storage area initially set up for a University department, the department head should submit an informal request via the kiz Help Desk. The need for this must be justified.

Fees / Charges

No fees or charges are levied for the basic data allowance. Individual arrangements can be made for larger data allowances.