Data Loss and Recovery

This page provides information about XNAT backup procedures and data recovery options.

Backup Procedures

XNAT at NYUAD maintains regular backups to protect against data loss:

Daily Backups - Rolling backups are taken every night - These backups capture the current state of the XNAT system

Full Backups - Two full backups are created every 30 days - Full backups are retained for up to 60 days

These backup procedures help ensure data can be recovered in case of system failures or accidental deletions.

Data Deletion and Cache

When data is deleted from XNAT:

  • User Deletion: Data deleted by users is removed from the active system

  • Temporary Cache: XNAT may store deleted data temporarily in its cache

  • Permanent Removal: After cache expiration, data is permanently removed from the active system

Important: Once data is permanently removed from the system and cache, it cannot be recovered without restoring from backups.

Data Recovery

User-Side Recovery

Data recovery is not available from the user side. Once data is deleted, users cannot restore it themselves.

Administrator-Assisted Recovery

If you have experienced data loss or need to recover deleted data:

  1. Contact XNAT Administrators: Email admin.nyuad.xnat@nyu.edu immediately

  2. Provide Details: Include: - Project name and ID - Subject and session labels (if applicable) - Approximate date/time of deletion - Description of what was lost

  3. Recovery Process: Administrators can restore data from backups if: - The data loss occurred within the backup retention period (60 days for full backups) - The backup contains the data you need - Recovery is technically feasible

Recovery Timeline

  • Recovery requests are processed as quickly as possible

  • Recovery time depends on: - The size of data to be recovered - The age of the backup needed - Current system load

  • You will be notified once recovery is complete or if recovery is not possible

Preventing Data Loss

To minimize the risk of data loss:

  1. Verify Before Deleting: Always verify data before deletion, especially when transferring data between projects

  2. Use Prearchive: When uploading, use Prearchive first to review data before archiving

  3. Document Important Data: Keep records of critical data and processing steps

  4. Regular Backups: For critical analysis results, maintain your own backups outside of XNAT

  5. Coordinate Deletions: For large-scale deletions, coordinate with project administrators

See Also