Pages about CIFS

• Overview
• Accessing
• Organizing data

Related Pages

• AFS
• Backup Service

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CIFS

What Is CIFS?

CIFS (Common Internet File System) is how many people (typically those using the MS Windows) refer to file servers. At Stanford, we use the CIFS protocol to provide access to a central file service. CIFS can also be a good way to have secure and sharable file storage for groups and departments.

CIFS is an enhanced version of Microsoft Server Message Block (SMB), the standard way that computer users share files across intranets and the Internet. CIFS enables collaboration on the Internet by defining a remote file-access protocol that is compatible with the way applications already share data on local disks and network file servers and it is optimized to support slower speed connections.

CIFS offers these features:

• Access: CIFS is accessible from multiple client operating system platforms, including Windows (NT, XP, 2003, Vista, 2008), Macs (OS/X 10.4, 10.5), Linux, and UNIX.
• Security & Granularity:  CIFS servers provide authenticated access to named file shares. Access is controlled by Stanford Windows Infrastructure and Workgroup Manager.
• Data Integrity:  CIFS supports the typical set of file operations: open, close, read, write, and seek. CIFS also supports file and record lock and unlocking, allowing multiple clients to access and update the same file while preventing conflicts by providing file sharing and file locking.
• Physical Security: The CIFS data is stored in servers located in the secure enterprise data center facility with UPS (uninterruptible power supplies) and generator backup.
• Reliability: The data is stored in redundant hardware, with RAID (redundant array of independent disks) protection for data-integrity and performance. The service has 24x7 monitoring and support.
• Recoverability: Snapshots are taken of the data twice a day, at noon and at 5PM. These snapshots are retained for two weeks.
• Backup: Optionally, your data can be backed up. The backup option provides for local and remote storage of the data for 90 days.
• Optimization for Slow Networks:  The CIFS protocol has been tuned to run well over slow-speed connections.

Rates

For current storage rates, please see the Computing Services Rates web page.

How to Order

Your Department Contact can order CIFS Storage via OrderIT. The information required to process the order includes the following:

1. Name: Department, Project, Workgroup, or Individual name.
2. Quantity: Amount of storage required. Typical requirements should be multiples of 10G.
3. Access: Who should have access to the data?
   1. Department / Project / Workgroup – Name of Workgroup.
   2. Individual access: include name & SUNetId
4. Billing Information: PTA Number.

Backup

Backup and storage are two separate services; backup service is by subscription. The storage team works with clients to customize backups to the needs of their applications.

You will be notified when the service is ready for access. The notification will include the Server Name and Share Name.