What is happening?
The location where CoE students’ files are stored (their home directories) when using a lab or classroom computer that is running the CAEN Lab Software Environment (CLSE) will be migrated to a new storage system at 11:30 p.m. on Tuesday, June 24, 2025.
Which computers are affected?
Computers which run the CAEN Lab Software Environment (CLSE). These include CAEN lab computers, CAEN remote login computers, and select computers located in CoE departmental labs, CoE classrooms, Campus Computing Sites and residence hall computer labs.
Which people are affected?
College of Engineering (CoE) students may be affected when using one of the affected computers. Non-CoE users of the affected computers will not be affected.
What do I need to do?
It is recommended that you log out of the affected computers sometime before 11:30 p.m. on Tuesday, June 24. It is also recommended that you not log in until sometime after midnight.
Will I be able to access all of my files after the migration?
The latest version of files that you changed or created between June 1 and June 24 might not be immediately available after the migration due to the time required to synchronize everyone’s latest changes from the old location to the new location. However, it is anticipated that all files will be available by July 8. No individual files will be lost in the migration.
What if I can’t find some of my files or if some files do not have my latest changes?
You can wait for the full synchronization process to complete, or if you can’t wait that long you can submit a request to 4HELP@umich.edu asking that the ITS Storage Team synchronize your engin-labs home directory. Upon receiving your request they will expedite the synchronization of the files in your home directory.
What if I need to access a previous version of a file?
Only the most recent versions of your files will be migrated. No previous versions will be copied. Following the migration, if you need a previous version of a file from before June 24, 2025, you can submit a request to 4HELP@umich.edu asking that the ITS Storage Team assist you with recovering a file from the engin-labs MiStorage share. Going forward, previous versions of files from after June 24, 2025 can be self-restored in the usual way. Previous versions of files are only retained for a maximum of 8 weeks from the date on the file.
Does this affect the files I access when I use an Engineering Base Desktop (EBD) computer?
No. This change will not impact files accessed via the faculty/staff home directory storage space on EBD computers (engin-storage). Those files have already been migrated.
What if I have problems when using an affected computer or when accessing my files following the migration?
If you have not already done so, log out of the computer you are using and reboot it. If you need emergency support, please contact 4help@umich.edu or the CAEN Help Desk at https://caen.engin.umich.edu/contact/, asking that they assist you with accessing your files in the engin-labs MiStorage share.
How am I affected if I access my CoE student CLSE home directory from a non-CLSE computer?
Accessing CoE student CLSE home directories from non-CLSE systems is not supported and you do so at your own risk. The path for mounting the home directories has changed:
- For Windows computers, use the following path: \\engin-labs.m.storage.umich.edu\engin-labs\home\YOUR-UNIQNAME
- For Linux computers, you must include the noserverino option and use the following path: //engin-labs.m.storage.umich.edu/engin-labs/home/YOUR-UNIQNAME
You should update your access method anytime before the cutover on June 24, 2025 at 11:30 p.m. Once the cutover occurs you may need to logout then log back in or reboot.
Didn’t this happen already?
This same migration was attempted back on December 19, 2024 but had to be rolled back due to technical issues. The issues have since been resolved so we are proceeding with the migration again.