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RCS Onboarding for New PIs

Are you a new PI joining UAB? Welcome to UAB-IT Research Computing System. Below is the information we need to ensure you have the best experience and the fastest possible startup.

Please review the sections on this page and contact support@listserv.uab.edu to begin the onboarding conversation, or join our Zoom Office Hours for live assistance.

Team Members?

All team members, including the PI, will need to create Research Computing System Account

Do You Want to Designate a Data Manager?

PIs can designate a "Data Manager" who will:

  • Serve as the primary point of contact for data transfers and initial data management
  • Manage day‑to‑day data operations (For example: access control, directory structure)
  • Coordinate shared storage requests and oversee user access for shared allocations.

Are you transferring data from another institution?

  • How much data in TB?
  • Does your institution have a Globus subscription?
  • How did you transfer data from your storage systems at your previous institution?
  • How can we contact your institution's Research Computing or IT group responsible for assisting with data transfers?
  • Do you have a Data Use Agreement from your institution authorizing you to transfer the data?
  • Which parts of your data require special security considerations?
    • RCS is equipped to handle HIPAA and NIST 800-171 data.
    • We offer several data transfer options.
    • Anything else? Please let us know.

Shared Storage Allocations

In addition to their individual allocations, PIs and Core Directors are eligible to request Shared GPFS or LTS allocations for collaborative work and project data storage needs.

To request shared storages, please refer to the storage request guide. You will need to include:

  • A list of team members who will need access to the shared allocation, if any.
  • Sensitive data requirements, if any.
  • Data Manager designated as steward, if any.

Note: Please make sure all team members who will have access to the shared allocation and the PI have created a Research Computing System Account.

Access Control

Members can access data in a shared allocation in different ways, depending on the type of shared allocation.

For Cheaha Project Directory, members can access data through two methods:

  • Unix Group membership: Access to data in Cheaha project directory is granted through Unix group assignments. Users may be added based on a request from the Data Manager with PI approval, or through a direct request from the PI.
  • Access Control Lists (ACLs): Permissions applied to specific files or directories, with access requests handled the same way as Group membership, or the allocation owner can grant the required permissions directly.

For LTS, members can access data through Bucket policies.

Once the appropriate access permissions have been configured, members can transfer or access data using the available data transfer tools.

Getting Started on Cheaha

Once accounts and storage are set up, your team can begin using Cheaha, and other Research Computing services.

First steps:

Expectations and Responsibilities

PIs are responsible for maintaining appropriate administrative security controls for their data. We provide guidance and a secure platform to support compliant data management.

All PIs, Core Directors, researchers, students, and any users of UAB‑owned computer systems are responsible for adhering to the data and computing infrastructure policies set by UAB-IT.