What is it?
Saturn is UTD’s implementation of a Dell Isilon/PowerScale enterprise-grade NAS (network attached storage) system. It offers enterprise-grade security, resilience, redundancy, and up time, as a centrally managed research data storage service designed to support research activity.
It is intended for Active Research Data and Backups; it is NOT intended for cold storage or personal files. Users are expected to act as responsible data stewards and manage data in accordance with university, sponsor, and regulatory requirements.
Who is eligible?
Saturn storage must be sponsored by a UTD research faculty member with an active UTD NetID (share owner) and is available for collaboration with approved UTD affiliated staff and students.
Access requires a NetID and connection to the UTD campus network, either on-site or via VPN. Users are expected to act as responsible data stewards and manage data in accordance with university, sponsor, and regulatory requirements.
How much storage is available?
The Office of Research and Innovation provides sponsored Saturn allocations based on need:
- Starter: Up to 10 TB
- Available with no additional requirements; suitable for active research data and backups.
- Extended: Up to 20 TB
- Data above 10 TB should be in current or active use (generally less than one year old).
- High Activity: Up to 30 TB
- Requires demonstrated need, justification, and approval based on factors such as active sponsored projects, Dean support, or linkage to HPC workflows.
Allocation Sharing:
- With prior approval, tiered allocations may be pooled to support research collaborations or center-level activities. Researchers participating in pooled allocations are responsible for ensuring appropriate, equitable, and efficient use of shared resources, including the proper use of joint and individual Saturn shares. All shares are subject to periodic audit to verify compliance with allocation limits and usage requirements.
Additional Saturn storage may be provisioned upon consultation and may require pre-approved cost-sharing or term-limited arrangements. However, alternative solutions such as Box or OneDrive may be more appropriate depending on the use case.
For storage requirements exceeding ~40TB, Titan Condo Storage is a preferable option.
Where can I get it?
To request Saturn storage, or to add or remove users to existing shares or change share ownership, please enter a ticket from this page (top right).
For data storage consultation, please book some time at: UTD.link/SATURNconsult
How do I access it?
Saturn shares are accessible on the UTD network from supported workstations and clients:
- Windows - native access, e.g., \\saturn\YourShareName
- macOS - SMB, e.g., smb://saturn.utdallas.edu/YourShareName
- Linux - SMB or NFS*
- *NFS available upon request; additional configuration required
To mount a Saturn share, refer to the following instructions: