Getting started
Here, you will learn how to set up your BioMIID access prior to your first experiment with us.​
1 | Setting up a VUnet ID
A VUnet ID is required to obtain physical access and network access to our facility.
1.1. Once we have agreed to host you as a visiting user, we will send Vanderbilt IT a request to generate your VUnet ID.
1.2. You will likely be required to set up two-factor authentication along the way.​​
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2 | Accessing BioMIID Central
BioMIID Central is our centralized data storage server, which is RAID-6-protected and regularly backed up to a secure online cloud service. You will be given a couple of dedicated folders on our server for saving image data from the microscopes and storing files from your image processing and analysis routines.
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To set up access on BioMIID Central:
2.1. Provide your VUnet ID and Vanderbilt e-mail to us.
2.2. We will send an e-mail providing a link to set your password for the data storage server.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​2.3. ​Click on the link (usually the first one works). It will launch the following prompt, which will allow you to set a new password:​​​​
2.4. After your new password is set, you will be prompted to log into the BioMID Central system through this portal:
​​​​​2.5. You will then be brought to the Synology desktop, which you can use to view and manage your files. However, we recommend you log out immediately and instead access BioMIID Central through a computer with a Windows or Mac operating system.
2.6. ​In a workstation on campus, or on your personal computer while logged into the secure Vanderbilt network (through VPN), you can connect to the BioMIID Central server by mapping a network drive.
For Windows 11 workstations:
2.​6.1w. Open Windows Explorer and click the "..." on the toolbar, then click "Map network drive".
2.6.2w. You will then be prompted to enter the network IP address for BioMIID Central. Get this number from the e-mail you received in Step 2, or request for the number from a BioMIID staff member.
2.6.3w. Use your user name and password for BioMIID Central to then enter the system.
For Mac OS X workstations:
2.6.1m. Open a Finder window and type "command (⌘) + K" on the keyboard. This will open the IP address prompt.
2.6.2m. Type in the IP address, but preceded by "smb://".
2.6.3m. Use your user name and password for BioMIID Central to then enter the storage network.
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Directory structure. We give our users access to 2 folders on our data storage server, under branches called "Nonsync" and "ONLINE":
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BioMIID_Central\BioMIID_Nonsync\BioMIID_Users_Nonsync\SampleUser_LabName_Nonsync
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BioMIID_Central\BioMIID_ONLINE\BioMIID_Users_ONLINE\SampleUser_LabName_ONLINE​​​​​​​​
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The "Nonsync" path is intended for shorter-term data storage, while the "ONLINE" path is intended for long-term data storage, as it is monitored and backed up to cloud services. Here are other key differences in the intended use:
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3 | Scheduling equipment time
Once you have working access to BioMIID Central, we will grant you access to the relevant rooms and equipment for your project via Google calendars. ​You must sign up for a room or equipment before use. If there are any sudden scheduling conflicts or changes, please notify us by e-mail.
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4 | Accessing the facility
On your first visit to our facility, we will give you a tour and ensure that your VUnet ID access to our rooms is properly working. Our offices, the tissue culture room, the studio, and most of our microscopes are located on the 6th floor of the Engineering and Science Building (2414 Highland Ave, Nashville, TN 37212).
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The HSWFv1 and Nikon Ax Confocal microscopes are located in a different building nearby and BioMIID staff will need to accompany you when accessing these two.
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