Capabilities available through BIRN currently fall into two general categories: those aimed at data sharing, and those for collaboration, authorization and user identification. Some are appropriate solely for user teams, which operate them on behalf of their research communities. Others are available to individual users directly through BIRN.
Data Sharing
BIRN offers a suite of software tools aimed at user teams, including:
- Data Access and Movement – This capability allows BIRN users to access remote data storage services, primarily for access to file-based data. At each site in a network of collaborating sites, the data access capability enables the site to provide remote users with the ability to store, retrieve, and delete files. You can find more information at software.birncommunity.org. Contact: Rob Schuler (schuler at isi.edu)
Users can perform storage, retrieval and deletion operations on individual files, multiple files and individual directories. They also can do so recursively, or perform the same operation through successive levels, on directory hierarchies. Data access service operations are secured by user authentication and file access permissions required to authorize the operation, as provided by BIRN security capabilities.
- Metadata Access and Management –BIRN currently recommends two tools for storing and accessing metadata, such as data acquisition parameters and data provenance. Both have been developed by early BIRN user teams. New user teams may choose whichever tool best matches their specific needs. You can find more information at software.birncommunity.org. Contact: Rob Schuler (schuler at isi.edu)
Collaboration, Authorization, and User Identification
We also host services for both individual users and user teams, which are:
- Email List Hosting – BIRN infrastructure, working groups and users rely on mailing lists to communicate. These lists allow you to stay current on BIRN developments and target questions or comments to the right person or group at the outset. We use Mailman software to create and manage mailing lists for internal groups and, in some cases, on behalf of our users. You can request and manage mailing lists easily through our web-based administrative interface. Contact: Cristina Williams (cristina at isi.edu)
- Wiki Hosting – Wikis are powerful online collaboration tools that enable a research project to consolidate information in one web-based location, collaborate on pages and documents, and organize team activities. BIRN uses enterprise-level Confluence software to host our own and our users’ wikis.  If you need a public or private website, sounding board, scratch pad or related capabilities, we can help you get up to speed quickly. Contact: Cristina Williams (cristina at isi.edu)
- User Registration Service – Because BIRN data services are distributed across many institutions, we provide a centralized registration mechanism for new users. This web-based registration service allows a user to become eligible to sign up to access data used by BIRN teams. They also gain access to BIRN’s infrastructure, software tools, data-sharing strategies and advisory services. The process also establishes BIRN-wide security credentials for new users. Contact: Rachana Ananthakrishnan (ranantha at mcs.anl.gov)
- Credential Service – BIRN data services require security credentials for users to store or access data. The BIRN-wide credential service, accessed via a client tool on the user’s home system, provides a simple way for users to get a credential whenever they choose to access BIRN services or data. Contact: Steve Langella (stephen dot langella at osumc.edu)
