In this blog post, we summarize the key points from our recent paper presented at PEARC 2024, titled “Cheap and FAIR: A Serverless Research Data Repository for the Next Generation Cosmic Microwave Background Experiment.”
Introduction
The paper discusses the development and implementation of a cost-effective and equitable data portal designed to facilitate data sharing and collaboration among researchers involved in the CMB-S4 experiment. CMB-S4 is a large-scale scientific experiment jointly funded by NSF and DOE to measure radiation emitted just after the Big Bang.
Key Features
- Cost-Effective: The portal leverages open-source technologies to minimize costs.
- Equitable Access: Ensures fair access to data for all researchers, regardless of their institutional affiliation or funding status.
- User-Friendly Interface: Designed with a focus on ease of use to encourage widespread adoption.
Implementation
The portal is built using a combination of modern web technologies and cloud infrastructure, ensuring scalability and reliability. Key components include:
- Backend: Powered by Globus for authentication, authorization, and data access.
- Frontend: A static web interface for browsing available datasets and their metadata.
- Security: Implements stringent security measures to protect sensitive data using Globus groups.
Conclusion
The Cheap and FAIR Data Portal represents a significant step forward in democratizing access to research data. By reducing costs and ensuring equitable access, it aims to foster greater collaboration and innovation in the research community.
For more details, you can read the full paper here.