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nicfs

Important notes about using nicfs

  • Note that the layout of nicfs is different from the layout of iccb_ntone. Each user has access to his/her own private volume and one lab share volume. You will connect to these volumes directly, and need not remember where they are located on the server (as was the case with "BCMPDATA1" on iccb_ntone).

    Your personal volume, which is named using your username, is accessible only by you. You should place files you wish to share with others in your lab's shared folder. If you need access to additional group volumes, you can request that access from WQCG.

    Complete instructions on using nicfs from different platforms are linked below.*

  • In order for your files to be accessible from all the different operating systems that can connect to nicfs, you should observe some guidelines on naming your files.
*NOTE: OS 9 users will not be able to access nicfs

Requesting a nicfs account
To request an nicfs account, submit a support request. Once your account is created, you'll be notified about how to obtain your username and password.

Connecting to nicfs
nicfs is designed to allow connections from Mac OS X, Windows and Linux computers.

Basic usage
On nicfs, you have several distinct storage volumes available to you.

Your home volume, which is named with your username, is private to you. Files you store here are not accessible to any other nicfs user.

You may have access to lab shares as well . Files you store here are accessible to anyone else in your lab with a nicfs account.

On a case by case basis, additional semi-private volumes can be created, for example, to allow sharing between a PI and an administrator. To request a special semi-private volume, submit a support request to the WQCG.

Space usage limits
Since nicfs is a shared resource, there are limits on how much data you can store.

Most users have a 5 GB limit on their home volume.

Group volumes have a 50 GB limit, which is shared among all members of the group. Your usage in group volumes does not impact your home volume's limit.

Your usage limit or your lab's usage limit can be increased if you can demonstrate a need for more space. Click here to request an increased space allocation.

File naming guidelines

Appropriate use
nicfs is intended to provide reliable data storage and a means for data exchange for BCMP Department business. Limited personal use (for example, e-mail or other personal documents) is acceptable.

Please refrain from using nicfs to store large quantities of non-work-related data. For example,

Backups and archiving
nicfs is backed up on a daily basis, and backups are retained for approximately six months, on a rolling schedule.

The primary goal of nicfs backups is to be able to recover from disaster situations, like hardware failure, building structural failure, fire, or flood. We will always make our best effort to restore files for users that were accidentally deleted or modified.  However, we ask that you be considerate of this facility and not reduce the care with which you deal with your data.

Long-term archiving of data is the responsibility of individual labs and researchers. If you need assistance selecting and implementing an archiving solution, you can request consultation with a WQCG systems administrator by submitting a support request.

When you leave the department
When you leave the department, you should do several things:

Account data is kept for 6 months following your departure. However, requests for data after your departure will be considered low priority, so please make copies as needed in advance.