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Move Data Securely

What you are trying to do

You want to move data between systems, such as:

  • from your local machine to a research environment
  • between storage systems
  • between institutions or collaborators

This requires choosing an appropriate transfer method based on data size, location, and reliability requirements.


Key decisions

Before transferring data, clarify:

How large is the data?

  • small files
  • medium datasets
  • large datasets (100s of GB or more)

Where is the data moving?

  • local machine to UCT systems
  • between internal systems
  • between institutions

How reliable does the transfer need to be?

  • one-off transfer
  • repeated or ongoing transfers
  • transfers that must be monitored or resumed if interrupted

1. Choose an appropriate transfer method

Start here:

Understand available approaches:


2. Perform the transfer

Use the appropriate method:

For specific tools:


3. Verify the transfer

After transfer:

  • confirm that all files are present
  • check file sizes where relevant
  • ensure the data is accessible in the target system