1. Home
  2. help
  3. knowledge base
  4. Data Backup
  5. Storage and Backup
  6. File Storage

File Storage

The Sicily file storage system is being replaced by a new system NAS (Network Attached Storage) with more advanced capabilities, which includes: selective use of Solid State Disks (SSD or "flash" storage) and the capability to expand into Cloud storage such as Amazon S3. In addition users may find it beneficial to move to an alternate file storage system such as Box or Google Drive storage. These systems may better meet a user's business needs and they are supported at Case Western Reserve University.

Users are required to collaborate with UTech staff to properly transition to the new file storage system, NAS. UTech will assist users in migrating old hardware to the new hardware before January 27, 2017. In addition, UTech will assist users with removing files from “Sicily”. This is not a transparent move - the new system will not be named "Sicily", so end users' computers will require some reconfiguration to connect to the new share location(s). 

The migration process will follow this general process:

  1. UTech will make an initial copy the data to the new system, including all user access permissions

  2. After the initial copy is created, end users should verify their access to the new share location, but should NOT begin using it for updates.

  3. At a designated date and time, UTech will disable write access to the old share on Sicily, then update the copy on the new system to have the most current data.  

  4. Users should change their drive mappings (Windows) or network drive connections (Mac OS X) to use the new location.

Furthermore, to transition to Box or Google Drive, users also need to coordinate with UTech staff to remove the files before January 27, 2017.  If it is not possible to migrate to the alternate location before that time, it is necessary to make an interim move of files to the new UTech NAS system, until the final move to Box or Google Drive is completed.  

To contact a [U]Tech Engineer, please contact the [U]Tech Service Desk at 216.368.HELP or help.case.edu.

This is a comparison between NAS, “Box” and “Google Groups.” View Larger Matrix Here

Storage comparison matrix

For information related to the Box service, see /utech/it-help/knowledge-base/box

For more information related to the Google Groups service, see /utech/it-help/knowledge-base/g-suite-for-education/google-drive