IT Connect
Information technology tools and resources at the UW
Comparison of UW file service options for Managed Workstation customers
The following chart compares the capabilities provided by various UW file services.
The file services and capabilities listed have been chosen reflecting those for which Managed WorkStation (MWS) customers have expressed interest or needs.
Note: The general Shared File Service offering has been omitted since it is identical to the Managed WorkStation File Service offering except for the cost, eligibility, and off-campus access.
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 | $.15/GB/month beyond | $.15/GB/month beyond | $.37/GB/month |
Eligibility | Faculty, Staff, Students, Shared UW NetIDs | Faculty, Staff, Students, Shared UW NetIDs | Faculty, Staff, Students | MWS customers | MWS customers | MWS customers |
Activation required | None | None | 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 | ![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
Encryption at-rest | ![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
UI usability | ![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
Available in 5 years? | ![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
MWS Recommended | ![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |