DSpace as a Data Catalog

[Richard Dennis]

Dear DSpace Community,

We are looking at DSpace as a potential Data Catalog in the research center where I am employed. 

The Center generates enormous raw datasets (genomics, microscopy (images), and other biomedical-related data, each file size is often larger than 1TB). We currently store roughly 20 PB of data in mapped (symbolically linked drive)

We are exploring possible archive solutions for long-term preservation, but we are exploring DSpace as a solution for maintaining these datasets' metadata. DSpace will serve several functions. 

1. The datasets already published in domain-specific repositories will NOT have to move; DSpace will be used to capture the metadata from the datasets on the domain-specific repository.

2. DSpace would be used as a search engine to locate the datasets and raw data not published but stored in a storage archive (solution yet undetermined)

My question is:

Is it possible to publish and expose ONLY the metadata without generating the need to generate a DOI? We don't want to mint any DOIs. 

I'm excited to hear your suggestions.

Richard Dennis

Research Consultant - Data Steward / Data Manager