2.2 Research Data Infrastructures
23
Fig. 2.3 Layers, functions and technologies for data infrastructures. The three layers (storage,
object and service) are related to their functions defined in Sect. 2.2.1 and respective technological
coverage of hardware, software and services
• Data Access This functionality must be designed and implemented by a user interface in order to ensure data access for users. Moreover, this includes capabilities
to search and explore the data infrastructure.
As it was mentioned earlier, the above basic functions have to be accompanied by
supportive functions for the scientific workflow. These should include the following:
• Workflow support This means that the above functionalities have to be integrated
seamlessly into the scientific workflow in the field.
• Service tool integration As moving data is expensive, the data infrastructure has
to enable data analytics and processing tools close to the data repository. This can
also include visualization services.
2.2.2 Architectures
Data infrastructures can be logically divided into three major layers, which are
depicted in Fig. 2.3 [13]. The functions defined in the previous Sect. 2.2.1 have to
be implemented in the specific or throughout all the three layers. It is subject to
the precise implementation of a data infrastructure which function resides in which
layer.
5
The base layer of a data infrastructure is the storage layer (l1), where the data
objects are physically stored and bitstream preservation is guaranteed. Technically,
this layer can exist in distributed and/or hierarchical setting and is often a combination
from hard disc and tape storage. The intermediate layer is the object layer (l2), whose
5 Mapping these functions to layers is not trivial, an example can be found in [14].
23
Fig. 2.3 Layers, functions and technologies for data infrastructures. The three layers (storage,
object and service) are related to their functions defined in Sect. 2.2.1 and respective technological
coverage of hardware, software and services
• Data Access This functionality must be designed and implemented by a user interface in order to ensure data access for users. Moreover, this includes capabilities
to search and explore the data infrastructure.
As it was mentioned earlier, the above basic functions have to be accompanied by
supportive functions for the scientific workflow. These should include the following:
• Workflow support This means that the above functionalities have to be integrated
seamlessly into the scientific workflow in the field.
• Service tool integration As moving data is expensive, the data infrastructure has
to enable data analytics and processing tools close to the data repository. This can
also include visualization services.
2.2.2 Architectures
Data infrastructures can be logically divided into three major layers, which are
depicted in Fig. 2.3 [13]. The functions defined in the previous Sect. 2.2.1 have to
be implemented in the specific or throughout all the three layers. It is subject to
the precise implementation of a data infrastructure which function resides in which
layer.
5
The base layer of a data infrastructure is the storage layer (l1), where the data
objects are physically stored and bitstream preservation is guaranteed. Technically,
this layer can exist in distributed and/or hierarchical setting and is often a combination
from hard disc and tape storage. The intermediate layer is the object layer (l2), whose
5 Mapping these functions to layers is not trivial, an example can be found in [14].