Argo NAS
At-sea hub for collaborative work and file sharing
Overview
The Argo Network Attached Storage (NAS) serves as our primary data hub while at sea, providing high-capacity, RAID-configured local storage and file-sharing capabilities independent of internet connectivity. This system enables real-time collaboration, automated data backup, and efficient information exchange among all expedition members.
System Architecture
The Argo NAS operates on a dedicated internal network accessible throughout the vessel, offering high-speed data transfer, automated synchronization, and robust storage redundancy. Each expedition member receives personalized access credentials with role-specific permission levels, ensuring appropriate access to data and collaboration spaces.
Directory Structure
Folders on the NAS mirror the structure of the matching expedition folder in Google Drive, ensuring a seamless transition between at-sea operations and post-expedition data management.
Daily Workflow
The NAS plays a central role in our daily expedition operations:
- Data entry: Upload collected data and photos to the appropriate directories on the NAS (excluding remote camera footage)
- Daily backup: Automatic daily backup of all new uploads to ensure redundancy and data integrity
- Early QAQC: Preliminary quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC) conducted by the data manager
- Species ID: Collaborative species identification and validation based on shared images and video
- Planning: Preparation for the following day’s operations based on real-time sampling distribution updates
- Highlights: Sharing of daily highlights, including images, video clips, and key findings.
Best Practices
File Management
- Follow standard naming conventions for all folder and files:
- Example:
benthos/site-photos/PLW-2023-uvs-001/...
,sbruv/PLW_2023_sbruv_fieldbook.xlsx
- Example:
- Save work to the NAS daily rather than keeping it on personal devices
- Organize raw photos by
station_id
or date upon upload
Collaborative Etiquette
- Save Frequently
- Close files when not in use to prevent access conflicts.
- Share your photos—contribute regularly to foster team collaboration
Support
The expedition’s data manager serves as the primary support contact for NAS-related issues, including troubleshooting, folder management, and QA/QC oversight.
Post-Expedition Data Management
At the conclusion of each expedition:
- All data undergoes final validation and organization
- Complete dataset is backed up to portable drives
- The full dataset (excluding raw footage) is synced to Google Drive.
- Data is archived for future reference