{"id":25879,"date":"2025-11-13T15:05:28","date_gmt":"2025-11-13T20:05:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rc.fas.harvard.edu\/?p=25879"},"modified":"2026-07-27T09:08:09","modified_gmt":"2026-07-27T13:08:09","slug":"storage-modernization-111325","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rc.fas.harvard.edu\/blog\/storage-modernization-111325\/","title":{"rendered":"FAS Research Computing Storage Modernization Initiative &#8211; Nov 2025"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>This message was sent to all active FASRC account holders on Nov. 13, 2025<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div dir=\"ltr\">\n<div style=\"width: 90%; height: 100%; padding: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; background-color: #dde5ee;\">\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" style=\"display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\" src=\"https:\/\/ci3.googleusercontent.com\/meips\/ADKq_NY0mxmIMmk5y0W4fkpM2kz_KEYGanHaHnr0r4bNahxdk4NvuawavOm9UBZz8Rc_WFdZzYIo5MzT_XfQJNO2qD1nt5zSWTA1gS2bXELfmTBxMRfAlwinr0eBZfKzYlDqQhjGsw=s0-d-e1-ft#https:\/\/www.rc.fas.harvard.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/rc-logo_2024_sm.jpg\" alt=\"FASRC logo\" width=\"320\" height=\"92\" \/><strong>Harvard FAS Research Computing<\/strong><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.rc.fas.harvard.edu\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-saferedirecturl=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?q=https:\/\/www.rc.fas.harvard.edu\/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1750343887137000&amp;usg=AOvVaw3o7BUe2b8n47iubRIo26GM\">Website<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/docs.rc.fas.harvard.edu\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-saferedirecturl=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?q=https:\/\/docs.rc.fas.harvard.edu\/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1750343887137000&amp;usg=AOvVaw1ShKvOxhlM685uQnU601vj\">Documentation<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/www.rc.fas.harvard.edu\/upcoming-training\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-saferedirecturl=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?q=https:\/\/www.rc.fas.harvard.edu\/upcoming-training\/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1750343887137000&amp;usg=AOvVaw31WGUbuprjr7m3h-2w6It-\">Training <\/a>| <a href=\"https:\/\/fasrc.instatus.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-saferedirecturl=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?q=https:\/\/fasrc.instatus.com\/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1750343887137000&amp;usg=AOvVaw0-pJ6skJr1P1zZMQwiU-Ix\">Status<\/a><\/p>\n<div style=\"width: 90%; height: 90%; padding: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; background-color: #ffffff;\">\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">FAS Research Computing (FAS RC), with support from the FAS Division of Science, will be transitioning to a new storage infrastructure in the coming months.\u00a0<\/span><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/docs.rc.fas.harvard.edu\/kb\/data-storage-workflow-rdm\/\"><b>Upcoming changes<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Modernizes and consolidates FAS RC storage systems, migrating existing research data onto 75 PB of new, higher-performance enterprise hardware.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Replaces Tiered Storage with a phased rollout of a new storage architecture that includes Lab, Compute, and Long-term Storage.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Storage migrations will be conducted by FAS RC with clear communication and minimal downtime.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">FAS RC will provide labs with advance guidance and support regarding expected downtime, updated folder paths, and any associated billing changes.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<br \/>\n<b>Benefits of the new storage:\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Enhanced researcher experience\u00a0<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Greater visualizations and storage tracking capabilities including data lifecycle management\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Streamlined and consolidated storage\u00a0<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Reduced need for data transfers and complex workflows, with simplified folder paths\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Resilient and reliable hardware<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Decreasing potential security risks and vulnerabilities<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Built-in storage backups and encryption<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Greater data protection and recovery options<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Reduced operational costs<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Long-term growth and scalability\u00a0<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<br \/>\n<b>Timeline of the migrations<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">:\u00a0<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The storage migration will occur in phases, beginning January 2026. Further information about expected timelines will be communicated in advance of each phase and is available in the \u201c<\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Storage Transition Schedule\u201d<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> section of the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rc.fas.harvard.edu\/data-storage\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Research Computing Storage Modernization webpage<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.\u00a0<\/span><br \/>\n&nbsp;<br \/>\n<b>Storage costs<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">:\u00a0<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We aim to keep storage costs sustainable; detailed storage cost information will be forthcoming. Please visit the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/docs.rc.fas.harvard.edu\/kb\/data-storage-workflow-rdm\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">data storage workflow documentation<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for information on the new storage options. For school-sponsored labs (HSPH and SEAS), storage funding will continue to be based on individual institutional policies.\u00a0<\/span><br \/>\n&nbsp;<\/p>\n<table style=\"height: 210px;\" border=\"1\">\n<tbody>\n<tr style=\"height: 30px;\">\n<td style=\"height: 30px; width: 351.55px;\" colspan=\"2\">\n<b>New Storage Offerings and Costs<\/b>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"height: 30px;\">\n<td style=\"height: 30px; width: 205.8px;\">\n<b>Offering<\/b>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"height: 30px; width: 145.75px;\">\n<b>Rate ($\/TiB\/year)<\/b>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"height: 30px;\">\n<td style=\"height: 30px; width: 205.8px;\">\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Compute Storage<\/span>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"height: 30px; width: 145.75px;\">\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">$150<\/span>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"height: 30px;\">\n<td style=\"height: 30px; width: 205.8px;\">\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Lab Storage<\/span>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"height: 30px; width: 145.75px;\">\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">$125<\/span>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"height: 30px;\">\n<td style=\"height: 30px; width: 205.8px;\">\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">FASSE (Secure Environment)<\/span>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"height: 30px; width: 145.75px;\">\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">$150<\/span>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"height: 30px;\">\n<td style=\"height: 30px; width: 205.8px;\">\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Long-Term Storage\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"height: 30px; width: 145.75px;\">\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">$30<\/span>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr style=\"height: 30px;\">\n<td style=\"height: 30px; width: 205.8px;\">\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Tape (NESE)\u00a0<\/span>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"height: 30px; width: 145.75px;\">\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">$15<\/span>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p>&nbsp;<br \/>\n<strong>ROUND 1<\/strong>: August 3rd - Non-FASSE Isilon (bos-isilon\/holy-isilon) moves to Lab Storage. See email sent to all users of this share type.<br \/>\n<strong>ROUND 2:<\/strong><br \/>\n<strong>ROUND 3:<\/strong><br \/>\n<b>Contact<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">:\u00a0<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you have any questions regarding the new storage environment, please email the <\/span><a href=\"mailto:rdm@rc.fas.harvard.edu\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">FASRC Storage Migration team<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and a member of FASRC will respond within two business days (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rc.fas.harvard.edu\/support-and-hours\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">support hours)<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. We appreciate your patience and support through this transition.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Thank you,<br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">FAS Research Computing<br \/>\n<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/docs.rc.fas.harvard.edu\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">https:\/\/docs.rc.fas.harvard.edu\/<\/span><\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.rc.fas.harvard.edu\/\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">https:\/\/www.rc.fas.harvard.edu\/<\/span><\/a>\n<\/div>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em><strong>PLEASE NOTE<\/strong>: Your FASRC account is contingent upon your membership in this list. This list is auto-generated nightly. Contact <a href=\"mailto:rchelp@rc.fas.harvard.edu\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">rchelp@rc.fas.harvard.edu<\/a> if you wish to have your account disabled and therefore removed from this list.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p class=\"lead\">This message was sent to all active FASRC account holders on Nov. 13, 2025 &nbsp; Harvard FAS Research Computing Website | Documentation | Training | Status FAS Research Computing (FAS RC), with support from the FAS Division of Science, will be transitioning to a new storage infrastructure in the coming months.\u00a0 Upcoming changes: Modernizes and consolidates FAS RC storage systems,&hellip;<\/p>\n<p class=\"more-link-p\"><a class=\"btn btn-primary\" href=\"https:\/\/www.rc.fas.harvard.edu\/blog\/storage-modernization-111325\/\">Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":103,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[36],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-25879","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-blog"],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p42YvN-6Jp","jetpack_featured_media_url":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rc.fas.harvard.edu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/25879","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rc.fas.harvard.edu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rc.fas.harvard.edu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rc.fas.harvard.edu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/103"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rc.fas.harvard.edu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=25879"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/www.rc.fas.harvard.edu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/25879\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":26036,"href":"https:\/\/www.rc.fas.harvard.edu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/25879\/revisions\/26036"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rc.fas.harvard.edu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=25879"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rc.fas.harvard.edu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=25879"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rc.fas.harvard.edu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=25879"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}