Case Study: The University of Queensland achieves ultra-fast, multi-site data access and faster scientific discovery with DataDirect Networks (DDN) GRIDScaler and IBM Spectrum Scale

The University of Queensland Builds UltraFast Data Storage Fabric with Powerful DDN Storage

The University of Queensland (UQ), a major research university with 7,000 staff, 50,000 students and nine research institutes, faced a growing data challenge: instruments such as genomic sequencers and high‑end microscopes generate massive volumes (QBI alone can produce up to 90 TB/day), data transfers were manual, and researchers needed fast, seamless multi‑site access and scalable storage to accelerate discovery.

UQ implemented DDN GS7K appliances with embedded IBM Spectrum Scale as part of a MeDiCi metropolitan caching fabric—deploying two GS7K systems (500 TB) to provide local flash caches, automated tiering and parallel file system performance. The result was simple, near‑instant access and automated movement of large datasets (over 5 GB/s on some genomics workloads; 137 GB moved in ~3 minutes), five‑second microscope uploads to OMERO, and a scalable, plug‑and‑play storage fabric that speeds collaboration and time to insight.

The University of Queensland

David Abramson

Director of the Research Computing Centre (RCC)