File Service Comparison

Last updated: January 5, 2024

The following chart compares the file service capabilities provided by various UW services.

The file services and capabilities listed have been chosen reflecting those for which Managed WorkStation (MWS) customers have expressed interest or needs.

Note: OneDrive for Business and Google Drive are not traditional file services. These modern capabilities provide for creation and sharing of files, with a variety of modern collaboration features, but do not necessarily align with traditional expectations.

UW file service option comparison

Capabilities OneDrive for Business Google Drive U Drive MWS
Home Dir
MWS File Service MWS Windows File Service
FERPA  
HIPAA BAA
Other UW
Confidential
Other UW
Restricted
Cost  None None 30GB “free”  (STF/TRF), $.25/GB/month beyond $.25/GB/month beyond $.25/GB/month beyond $.25/GB/month
Eligibility Faculty, Staff, Students, Shared UW NetIDs Faculty, Staff, Students Faculty, Staff, Students MWS customers MWS customers MWS customers
Activation required None via Manage My UW NetID page via Manage My UW NetID page  none today, in FY16 via Manage My UW NetID page via request via request
Resiliency GR redundant GR redundant Single UW Data Center outage Single UW Data Center outage Single UW Data Center outage Single component outage
Off-campus availability via SFTP or VPN via VPN via VPN via VPN
Offline sync
Backed up Limited (Trash, versioning if enabled, and non-contractual backup available via support request) Limited (Trash and limited versioning)
Self-service restore Recycle bin recovery or support request Trash and in limited cases Versions
Repair Point Objective
post virus/deletion/
ransomware

Immediate, assuming versioning on

Limited, possibly never

Immediate via snapshots

Immediate via snapshots

Immediate via snapshots

Immediate via shadow copy
Versioning
Email notification
Self-service access control N/A N/A
Groups Service integration N/A N/A
External Identity Sharing N/A N/A
Auto-mapping available at logon
Synchronous editing
Recommended for Access DBs
Protocol support HTTPS, MS-FSSHTTP HTTPS CIFS/SMB, SFTP CIFS/SMB CIFS/SMB CIFS/SMB
Client platform support Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, iOS, web browser Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, iOS, web browser Windows, Mac, Linux Windows, Mac, Linux Windows, Mac, Linux Windows, Mac, Linux
Encryption in-transit greenX
Encryption at-rest greenX
UI usability
Available in 5 years? (speculative)
MWS Recommended

 Symbols reference

Symbol
Meaning
Great or recommended
OK or Yes
Some issues
Not recommended, discouraged, or No
Unclear; may depend on the scenario
All classifications depend on entire solution not just storage
greenX Not by default