File System Quotas

Main Filesystems

UFRC has two main storage systems - blue and orange storage. See Storage for more details on their purpose and appropriate usage.

Reason for Quotas

Quotas are implemented to ensure that there is always some free space available on a filesystem. This is necessary to avoid users inadvertently filling the filesystem, which could result in job failures for all Research Computing users.

Filesystem quotas are not intended to be a barrier to your productivity. If you need space beyond what is initially allocated, it is possible to request a temporary quota increase or to purchase additional storage.

Checking Quotas

Log in to your Research Computing account using SSH and use the blue_quota or orange_quota command to see the quota information for both your user account and primary group.

$ blue_quota
Disk quotas for group 'mygroup' on /blue filesystem
Filesystem    used   quota   limit   grace   files   quota   limit   grace
     /blue  28.91T     60T     60T       - 20176380       0       0       -
Disk quotas for user 'rcuser' on /blue filesystem
Filesystem    used   quota   limit   grace   files   quota   limit   grace
     /blue   3.92T      0k      0k       - 7846854       0       0       -
Note: you do not have permission to view data for other users in your group.

See additional options with 'blue_quota -h'

Currently, a user can check their own quota and the quota of their group(s). Users cannot check the quotas of other group members or other groups.

Exceeded quota

If you exceed your quota, your applications will receive a quota violation error (i.e., “Disk quota exceeded.”). In most cases, the quota and limit (columns 3 and 4) are the same, so the grace period is irrelevant.

Temporary quota increase

Each group may request one temporary quota increase per twelve month period. Such increases will be granted for up to three months.

To request an increase, please open a support request. In your request, please indicate:

1. How much additional space you need
2. The filesystem on which you need it
3. How long you will need it (up to 3 months)

Temporary quota increases are granted at the discretion of Researching Computing on an “as available” basis. If your needs do not fit into the parameters outlined above, please contact us with a description of your situation so we can review it and recommend an appropriate solution. For more space on a long-term basis, you may want to consider making a storage investment. Please see our website for more information about storage options.