UNSW Simplifies Research Data Storage

UNSW Sydney is implementing a significant upgrade to its research data infrastructure, replacing 11 existing storage systems. This initiative, part of the university's Research Data Experience program, involves integrating DDN's EXAScaler parallel file system with Arcitecta's Mediaflux data management platform. The project began on September 1, 2026, with equipment delivery expected in early 2027 and the system going live later that year.

The integrated solution is designed to simplify data management for researchers, allowing them to dedicate more time to scientific discovery. DDN EXAScaler provides high-throughput access to large datasets, capable of supporting both flash and hard disk storage to balance performance needs with infrastructure costs. Arcitecta's Mediaflux platform will enhance data organization and management, ensuring researchers can easily find and utilize valuable data.

This new architecture will feature an automated data movement system, transferring data between high-speed on-campus caches and a central off-campus storage solution. This ensures researchers benefit from fast access when required, while the university can leverage more cost-effective hard disk drives for less performance-intensive data. The system will also support cloud environments, offering a flexible and modern research data ecosystem for UNSW.