FAQ
This information is out-of-date. Please note that we're creating a new knowledge base on support.mydre.org. This Help MyDRE website will be decommisioned in the next weeks.
On this page, you will find answers to frequently asked questions. Please contact us in case your question is not in this list, and you think it should be.
DRE platform
From where do I have access to the DRE platform?
The DRE is accessible from anywhere. If you have problems accessing the workspace, please contact your local research support.
Where is the DRE platform hosted?
Europe West Azure datacenters in the Netherlands. Read more about the locations of Azure datacenters.
How lasting and durable is the DRE platform?
The anDREa consortium has been set up to ensure further development of the DRE, so that it is a sustainable solution for researchers.
Is there a commercial goal for the DRE platform?
No, the goal is to upscale collaboration in research and to lower the development and running costs for participants.
What is the pricing model of the DRE platform?
You can estimate the costs of a DRE workspace with our estimator tool. The costs for storing data in DRE workspaces is around €0,05 per gigabyte per month. The costs of virtual machines follow the standard Azure pricing model.
Can I get help with legal issues regarding research in the DRE platform?
Legal services are not part of the platform itself. Please contact your local research support.
Data in DRE workspaces
How can I access my data in the DRE platform?
Data that is uploaded via the DRE portal is stored on the workspace fileshare, also known as the data drive. From within the virtual machine you will have access to this fileshare by going to the Windows Explorer and finding the data drive on the left hand side.
Do I have internet access inside the DRE workspace?
To maintain a high security level there is no standard internet access. Internet access is available on request, but the workspace would no longer be regarded as being at a high level of confidentiality.
Can I share my data with other DRE workspaces?
Unfortunately this is not possible yet. As a temporary solution, data can be copied to another workspace via the approval flow. Alternatively, if two or more workspaces work on overlapping data but do not want to give access to the other data in the respective workspaces, a common file share drive can be requested.
Can I integrate electronic medical records?
This is usually not possible, unless there are specific integration tools available. For example, Radboud UMC developed and manages a tool that makes it possible to integrate directly with EPIC.
Is it possible to archive my data in the DRE?
At the current moment, archiving means that the workspace will be labeled as 'archived' and users will not have access anymore. The costs of the workspace will remain the same, but this will be changed in the future.
How big is the storage size in a DRE workspace?
The storage size of the data drive expands when the need for storage increases. Keep in mind that the fileshare storage is different from the C: drive on the virtual machine. The latter is limited in size and is not backed up, and should therefore not be used for data storage.
What are the writing and reading speeds of the DRE storage?
The fileshare in the workspace is a standard Azure fileshare. According to Azure, 'they provide reliable performance for IO workloads that are less sensitive to performance variability'. Keep in mind that displaying the data in real time depends on several factors, such as the internet connection bandwith, latency and the number of active users.
Software in DRE workspaces
Can I install software myself in the DRE?
Yes, with the Install DRE applications app it is possible to install a series of commonly used software packages (e.g. RStudio, Python and Stata). If you have installation packages, you can also install them yourself by uploading the appropriate installation file to the fileshare. Since you will have no internet acces from within the workspace, downloading software will not be possible.
How can I get software packages into the DRE (e.g. for R or Python)?
There are local repositories for R (CRAN and Bioconductor), which need to be setup after you have installed R on your virtual machine. For users working with Python the PIP repo is available. Both are available by accessing Internet Explorer and clicking the appropriate links. It is also possible to download GitHub packages to your local machine, upload them to the fileshare and install them on the virtual machine.
Can I run software in the DRE, for which a specific license is needed?
Applications that need no license authorization and no internet connection can be installed after uploading the installation packages to the fileshare. When a license key is needed, you can contact us so we can install the application for you.
Do I need to pay for software licenses?
As long as the software is available on the standard image or can be installed via the DRE installation tool, the license can be used for free. License costs for other software that will be installed has to be paid for by the workspace user/owner.
Can I run Castor in the DRE?
Users in DRE workspaces
Can users have restricted access to specific virtual machines in the DRE?
Not at the current moment, but a solution to this may be implemented in the future.
Can there be more than 1 user entitled as owner of a DRE workspace?
Yes, it is possible to assign multiple users as owner of a workspace.
Virtual Machines in DRE workspaces
How many virtual machines can I add to my DRE workspace?
A maximum of 11 virtual machines can be added to a workspace. This means that 22 users could work at the same files at the same time as all the virtual machines in a single workspace fileshare.
Can I switch off a virtual machine when it is not used?
Yes, you can. Moreover, all virtual machines will be shut down after 19:00 CET. In case this is unwanted, please request to switch off that feature for your virtual machine specifically. Also note that you are responsible for letting us know when to switch on the auto-shutdown again. Alternatively, you can also do this yourself. Please visit Advanced users & Azure Portal for more information on how to do this.
How many users can use a virtual machine simultaneously in the DRE?
Because of standard Windows limitations this is a maximum of two users. Depending on the software being used, data files may be locked if they are already in use.