Renowned Medical Research Institution Selects Tuxera

A renowned medical research institution overcame data transfer and file sharing challenges using Fusion File Share by Tuxera SMB server implementation.

The institute’s advanced imaging and research setup benefited from Fusion’s, secure data transfer, scalability, and easy integration. Notably, Fusion eliminated network protocol bottlenecks, optimized storage performance, and simplified user access management, leading to more efficient use of laboratory time – with less hassles.

In medical research, the available tool-set must prioritize precision and timeliness to be effective. Microscopes are no exception to this rule. Ultra-high-resolution microscopes offer exceptional image resolution, coupled with advanced technologies such as 3D and live cell imaging – all of which generate massive amounts of data. Harnessing these technologies creates new challenges with data generation, storage, and transfer requirements. Addressing these issues requires robust solutions in every component of your HPC environment – even your SMB file sharing solution. Discover how Fusion File Share by Tuxera, our enterprise-grade SMB server implementation – has made novel discoveries possible in a prestigious medical research institution.

About the customer – medical research institute
The customer is a North American medical research institution at the forefront of medical technology innovation. The institute is world-renowned for a multitude of medical discoveries and treatment breakthroughs throughout its long history. To conduct the advanced research projects at the institute, the organization has a range of sophisticated imaging equipment including machines for Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT), Diffuse Optical Tomography (DOT), super-resolution microscopy, Raman spectroscopy, photoacoustic imaging, endoscopy, and X-ray. These devices generate ultra-high-resolution images and videos.

Challenge
The customer’s setup included multiple super-resolution microscopes with network access, high-speed image generation, a file storage cluster, significant data throughput demands, AI and ML image processing, and a mix of Windows and Mac devices accessing the data.

The institution required a streamlined approach to manage the following critical challenges:

• Storage: The institution’s collective image devices generated vast amounts of 4K/8K image and video files, requiring a reliable storage
• Data transfer: Efficient and fast data transfer was crucial to ensure that images and videos reached the centralized data center for analysis and storage.
• AI/ML integration: The customer relied on AI and ML for image analysis with access to data stored in the central repository.
• Data security: Given the sensitive nature of their research (for example, patient sample data), maintaining data security and access control was critically important.
• Scalability: With plans to expand their research capabilities, the institution needed a solution that could scale without interruptions.
• Compatibility: The customer had existing Windows and Mac devices that needed access to the network. Additionally, any changes to the system should integrate with their current infrastructure.

The institute’s initial infrastructure was built with an open-source SMB server implementation. However, the solution did not adequately meet all the requirements above.

The solution: Fusion File Share by Tuxera SMB server implementation

The medical research institution chose Fusion File Share by Tuxera as their SMB file sharing solution for several compelling reasons:

• Proven Technology: Fusion was recommended by their SDS provider, because of its software’s high-speed data transfer capabilities. This made it a fit for their data-intensive workflows.
• Data Security: The technology supported the latest SMB3 protocol standard, ensuring optimal data transfer security.
• Data Encryption: The advanced security features enabled secure data transfer of sensitive information.
• Scalability: The solution provided the flexibility to scale the file cluster as needed, accommodating new microscopes and additional storage.
• Fail-safety: A critical requirement for the institution was a system that could continue data transfer even in the event of a storage node failure, and the vendor was able to deliver the needed uptime and fail-safety.
• Compatibility: It enabled the institution to take advantage of their existing systems and networks, eliminating the need for expensive infrastructure replacements.

 Download tech specs: Fusion File Share by Tuxera SMB server implementation

The imaging system architecture setup powered by Fusion File Share by Tuxera.

Achieving success with Fusion File Share by Tuxera
Team of experts integrated Fusion into the research laboratory’s technology stack, setting up all the necessary configurations and customizations they would need for success.

Switching to Fusion brought several benefits for the research institute, including:

• Network Protocol Bottlenecks Eliminated: Data transfer speeds over SMB now nearly reach the theoretical maximum network speeds.
• Optimized Storage Performance: The institution can now take advantage of the performance capabilities of their SDS, ensuring fast access to end-user devices for processed data results and analyzed images.
• Data Security Assured: Fusion encryption capabilities ensured that sensitive data was securely transferred, meeting stringent privacy and access control requirements.
• Simplified User Experience for Researchers: With Active Directory support, user access management was streamlined, enhancing the overall user experience. Plus, the need for specialized client applications on all devices was eliminated, making it less hassle for researchers to make SMB connections over the network.

Final thoughts
Fusion File Share by Tuxera enabled this pioneering medical research institution to overcome their challenges with data-intensive medical imaging and optical technology. This implementation optimized data transfer and the storage speed potential, and also ensured data security, scalability, and compatibility with existing systems. The institution’s researchers can focus on their groundbreaking work, knowing that their data is handled with efficiency and security.