Problems with Files
Researchers and scientists often have to manage large numbers of files with a wide range of sizes and formats. Some of these files are relatively small, such as spreadsheets containing a few lines of data; others are huge, such as large binary text files. Some have a generic format, such as tab-separated data tables; while others have instrument-specific, proprietary formats, such as Luminex assay files -- not to mention image-based data files, PowerPoint presentations, grant proposals, longitudinal study protocols, and so on.
Often these files are scattered across many different computers in a research team, making them difficult to locate, search over, and consolidate for analysis. Worse, researchers often share these files via email, which puts your data security at risk and can lead to further duplication and confusion.
Solutions: LabKey Server File Repository
LabKey Server addresses these problems with a secure, web-accessible file repository, which serves both as a searchable storage place for files, and as a launching point for importing data into the database (for integration with other data, querying, and analysis).
In particular, the file repository provides:
- A storage, indexing and sharing location for unstructured data files like Word documents. The search indexer scans and pulls out words and phrases to enable finding files with specific content.
- A launching point for structured data files like Excel files, that can be imported into the LabKey Server database for more advanced analysis.
- A staging point for files that are opaque to the search indexer, such as biopsy image files.
This tutorial shows you how to set up and use a LabKey Server file repository that handles all three of these file types.
Tutorial Steps
Completing this tutorial requires administrative permissions. To get administrative permissions on LabKey Server, either:
- Install a local evaluation server on your own machine (described in the first step).
- Or, have your server administrator grant you folder or project level admin permissions.
