Disk Storage and Network Data Services (SANDS)

Overview

SANDS (Storage Application and Networked Data Services) is a collection of services available for purchase from ITS, bringing greater reliability to data storage, file sharing, and application deployment across the USC network. SANDS access is available to active USC faculty and staff.

The SANDS environment makes it possible for single users or small workgroups to gain all the advantages of using a file server (such as access to a large software library, significant storage space, and automatic backups) without incurring the high cost of purchasing and maintaining server-related equipment.

The full suite of services (storage and shared software programs) is available only for the Windows platform (Windows XP and higher).

The Storage-Area Network or storage-only component of the SANDS suite, named SAN, is available for both the Mac (OS 10.4 and higher) and Windows (XP and higher) operating systems.

Storage-Area Network (SAN)

ITS backs up SAN locally every night and maintains an off-campus backup to assure that users will be able to retrieve files in the event of a local disaster.

In many cases, SAN backup tapes can also be used to restore files that are accidentally deleted by the user. Please see the Restoral form, available in the right-hand menu, for more information.

New Accounts

If you are interested in these services, please begin by reviewing the System Requirements page to see if your equipment meets the minimum requirements. If you need help, please call Joanne Nam at 213-821-8057.

Pricing

For information about cost, please see the SANDS Pricing page.

Online Forms

The SANDS Application form is used to request a new SANDS account and storage space. To add a new user to existing group storage space, please use the SANDS Account Change form below.

The SANDS Account Change form is used to make changes to an existing account, including the addition of new users to existing group storage space.

The Restoral form is used to request the restoral of a lost file.

To determine whether you need to fill out the service-level agreement form (SLA), please contact Joanne Nam at 213-821-8057 or email its-services@usc.edu.

Getting Help

A Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) page and other supporting documentation are available through the SANDS navigation on your right.

To request a SANDS account, or for general and billing questions, please contact Joanne Nam at 213-821-8057 or email its-services@usc.edu.

Licensing questions can be directed to its-software@usc.edu.

For problems or questions related to the use of these, please contact the Customer Support Center at 213-740-5555 or email consult@usc.edu.