Storage

Storage locations

There are two primary locations for storing files:

  1. PI datashare (/cifs/<pi_last_name>): Main storage location for research data and files
  2. Home directory (/home/UWO/<username>): For small files, configuration files, or Python environments

Important storage guidelines:

  • Home directories should not exceed 20GB in size
  • All files stored outside of PI datashares or home directories will be deleted when the virtual machine shuts down
  • The system should only be used for research-related data and files, not as a primary backup
  • Access project data via /cifs, not /srv
  • /cifs folders are automounted, so they will not appear until accessed

Monitoring storage usage

To check your home directory size: du -h /home/UWO/<username>

Local mounting (accessing storage from your computer)

You can mount your PI's datashare on your local machine when connected to Western networks (wired, uwosecure-v2 wifi, or eduroam).

Mac OS:

  1. Use 'Connect to Server...' under the 'Go' menu
  2. Enter: cifs://bmisrv.robarts.ca/<pi_last_name>_data$ or smb://bmisrv.robarts.ca/<PI_Last_Name>_data$
  3. Log in with username: <westernid>@uwo.ca

Windows:

  1. Navigate to: \\bmisrv.robarts.ca\<pi_last_name>_data$\
  2. Log in with username: <westernid>@uwo.ca

Linux:

  1. Install cifs-utils: sudo apt install cifs-utils
  2. Create mount point: sudo mkdir -p /cifs/<pi_last_name>
  3. Mount: sudo mount -t cifs -o <username@uwo> //bmisrv.robarts.ca/<pi_last_name>_data$ /cifs/<pi_last_name>
Note: You'll need to repeat step 3 after rebooting, or add a line to your /etc/fstab file.

Off-campus access: Requires Western VPN (Pulse Secure) or VDI access.

Accessing datashares

Project datashares are automatically mounted and accessible at /cifs/<pi_last_name>. The folders are automounted, so they will not appear in directory listings until you access them directly.

To access your PI's datashare:

  1. Navigate directly to: /cifs/<pi_last_name>
  2. The folder will be automatically mounted when accessed
  3. Files remain accessible as long as your authentication ticket is valid

Managing datashare access permissions

Access to shared PI data (whether your own PI's data or collaborating with other PIs on projects) is managed by the IT Helpdesk, not CBS support staff. CBS support staff do not have access to modify datashare permissions.

To request access to datashares:

  • Submit a ticket in the Jira system: http://servicedesk.schulich.uwo.ca/
  • Alternatively, contact support-cbs-server@uwo.ca and ask them to submit a ticket on your behalf
  • What to include in your request:
    • Your UWO username
    • The PI datashare you need access to (/cifs/<pi_last_name>)
    • Brief explanation of the collaboration or project need

External systems

Digital Alliance integration: Use setup_sshfs_alias from your home directory and follow the prompts to mount Digital Alliance systems (like Graham) on the VDI. You must have an active Digital Alliance account. After setup, use graham to mount and unmount_graham to unmount.

Important: If you're using sshfs to mount Digital Alliance storage:
Re-run the setup_sshfs_alias script to update your aliases after the system upgrade.
Mounting now runs in the foreground (to support Duo 2FA), so you must keep the terminal window open after running the mount alias (e.g., graham)