Covers a rapidly growing need
Data is becoming more available and the need for solutions where we can collaborate on the collection and analysis of data is increasing rapidly. In addition, we need the ability to store almost arbitrary amounts of data and preferably also have access to extra computing power to run simulations or analyze the data. To meet these needs, the IT department at UiO has developed a separate platform service called Educloud Research.
What is Educloud Research?
With Educloud Research, you as a researcher get access to scalable storage, the HPC facility Fox, in addition to the possibility of easily setting up collaboration with both other UiO users and external partners. Data and software are available in your own project area, which you log into and where you can access both Windows and Linux desktops. You can also use the service in teaching, to give students access to data, software and computing power.
The data itself is safely stored on UiO's servers, so no data leaves Norway unless you choose to move it yourself. Both the shared project areas and each individual user's home area are backed up so that no data is lost. From research.educloud.no, you can easily manage who has access to your project area and who can use the Fox computer system. Educloud is approved up to red data (see UiO's storage guide and guide to the classification of data).
HPC is easily available with Educloud on Demand
Educloud Research also access to a number of additional services. To give users access to a more user-friendly way of running large analyzes on the Fox HPC facility, we have set up a service called Educloud On Demand, which is available from the website ondemand.educloud.no. From here you can start a number of different applications, such as Jupyter, RStudio or Matlab, and all applications or commands you run will automatically be sent to Fox. Although it feels like working on your own machine, you are actually running calculation jobs on a heavy-duty computer system. It is also possible to have more programs installed in Educloud on Demand than what you find when logging in. All you need to do is send an email to hpc-drift@usit.uio.no and ask that we install what you need.
Easy sharing with Educloud share
Educloud share is also part of Educloud Research. Here you get storage, sharing, uploading and downloading as you know it from OneDrive, Dropbox or similar services. Everything is available in your browser, from the page share.educloud.no. From here you can share files and folders with other Educloud users, or give others access to read individual files, just by sharing a link to the file. In addition, Educloud share has the option to create and edit Word documents, spreadsheets and presentations. And you can co-author documents in the same way as in Google docs. In addition to this, Educloud share offers various tools for personal and project administration, by creating a calendar, both for yourself, but also a shared calendar for your entire team. There is also support for kanban boards, simple to-do lists, and polling. The latter can be used as an alternative to Doodle, to find suitable times for events and meetings.
Educloud share is built on a solution called Nextcloud, which is constantly expanding its functionality, which means that we also work continuously to add new functionality to Educloud share. The service can be ordered for any Educloud project by sending an email to ec-drift@uio.no.