Data Storage Policy

The FCF stores data for one month only (both self- and operator-acquired data); it is users responsibility to download and back up data before one month passes. All users are strongly encouraged to transfer their data immediately after data acquisition.

  • Data more than one month old located on Serrate will be deleted by FCF staff on the first Monday of every month.
  • Data & experiments more than one month old located on the D:// drive and FACSDiva Browser will be deleted on the first Monday of every month.
    • Data stored in any other location on FCF computers may be deleted without warning.

Data Transfer Policy and Protocol

Data (either self-acquired or operator-acquired data) must be transferred through the Serrate network server: the use of USB keys is not permitted on FCF computers.

Transferring self-acquired data to the server

  1. At the end of your experiment, export data to D://BDExportFCFusers.
  2. Click on the WinSCP icon on the desktop.
  3. Once the software is open, you will be required to enter the following information:
    • Host: serrate.research.sickkids.ca 
    • Username: your Principal Investigator’s (PI) last name plus first name initial (dirksp for Peter Dirks; almanb for Ben Alman etc.)
    • Password: your lab login password used for the analytical cytometer computers. If you don’t know your password, please contact FCF staff.
    • Port: 22
  4. Once you are linked to the Serrate server, data can be transferred from the D: //drive (left window) to the FILES folder on the Serrate server (right window).

Transferring data from the server to your lab computer

  1. To access the server, download & install WinSCP (PC Windows) or FileZilla Client (Mac) software.
    • If you are installing the software on a UHN computer, you will need to contact the RIS to download the software
    • If you installing the software on a UHN laptop, you will need to contact RIS to request access to Port 22
    • RIS Helpdesk: Email helpdesk@uhnresearch.ca or Phone (416-946-2321)
  2. Once the software is open, enter the required information as in step 3 above.
  3. Once you are linked to the Serrate server, data can be transferred from the Serrate server (right window) to your computer (left window).
  4. After transferring the data to your computer, delete the data from the network. Failure to do so may prevent new data from being transferred to the network (due to storage size restrictions)
  5. The Serrate server can only be accessed through institutional computers due to firewall protection. If you are unable connect to the server please contact Emily for assistance.