Research File Service (RFS)
Research File Service (RFS)
The Research File Service (RFS) provides a reliable, resilient, secure, and scalable University-approved central storage facility for active research data. RFS users are provided with the assurance that their research data is safely protected, and accessible.
RFS was launched to University of Oxford research staff on 30 March 2023, on Ceph storage accessed via SMB (network drive) across the University network or through VPN from outside the University, for public and internal (non-confidential) files.
Server Message Block (SMB) enables file sharing, printer sharing, network browsing, and inter-process communication (through named pipes) over a computer network. RFS uses version 3 of the SMB protocol which offers performance improvements over slow networks, and end-to-end encryption.
In early 2024, RFS released additional functionality, offering web front end access. Web access enables the RFS project team to offer RFS to both internal research staff and their external guests, working in collaboration with one another.
The investigation and development of new features for RFS over the coming years will be important to ensure the service continues to meet the needs of as many Oxford researchers as it can. Please do periodically check our pages for updates about the latest features, and do get in touch at rfs-help@it.ox.ac.uk if you have any further questions about future plans for the service.
Details of how to set up new users and request storage: RFS owners' guide
Details of how to access and use RFS: RFS users' guide
You can find out more about RFS through the information below, or by joining the RFS Teams User Group using the joining code 8l48j0t.
Key service details
Available to: Researchers across the University, with ownership expected to rest with PIs or staff
Capacity: From 100GB to as much as 20TB with agreement
Suitable data: Currently RFS is suitable for the storage of public and internal data only
Storage management: Project-based, with primary and secondary owner responsible for management
Student access: Students can be invited to use RFS storage, but this needs to be owned by a PI or staff member
External user access: External guest access possible using MyWorkDrive
Access methods: RFS can be accessed via SMB (as a mapped drive) across the University network, or through VPN outside of the university
Costs: Up to 20TB free; further detail on larger provision/pricing to be confirmed
Authentication / ID used: CONNECT accounts for Oxford users, SSO used for web access (MyWorkDrive)
