RE: Data Archive

Peter Chapple (peterc@petermac.unimelb.edu.au)
Thu, 29 May 1997 12:49:54 +1000

>I know this subject was discussed some time ago but I need to know some =
more information. >We are interested in purchasing a data archive =
system that will serve our entire lab. In the lab >we have a FACS =
Vantage, FACScan, FACS Caliber, FACS Trak and a Discovery Image =
>analyzer. We want a single archive system that will be compatible with =
both the Macintosh >platforms attached to the flow cytometers as well as =
the IBM Dos system attached to the Image >analyzer. Considering the =
size of the files to be saved we are currently leaning toward either a =
>writable CD or an Optical drive. Price is a consideration but we want =
something flexible and >useful for all the systems.
>Has anyone tried to do such a thing in their lab? What is the =
available advice based on >personal experience?
>Your patience and consideration of my question is much appreciated.
>Haywood Pyle
>King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center
>Flow Cytometry Core Facility
>pyle@kfshrc.edu.sa

My two cents worth on data archiving are as follows:

We have are in a similar position in that we have a Windows NT network =
and a Macintosh attached to our BD cytometer. The Cytometer has a Jaz =
drive for storing data during acquisition and this data is later =
archived to CD-R. To get around the *two platforms* problems I have =
connected the Mac to the network and installed an FTP daemon on it. This =
allows us to simply FTP files onto the PC with our analysis software and =
CD-R burner, you can then easily do either off-line analysis or =
archiving on that machine.

If considering CD-R carefully consider the mastering software that comes =
with it. I have seen colleagues have a number of disasters buring =
multi-session CD's with CD-R mastering software that did not provide =
safe multi-session/volume recording. We are using software called *Gear* =
and have been happy with it - the documentation (in PDF format) is =
fair-good. It would be interesting to hear what other members of the =
list use :)

Peter Chapple
Melbourne AUSTRALIA