Files@Iowa - Migration FAQ
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What is Files@Iowa?
Files@Iowa is a service offered by ITS that provides users with network file storage that they can access anytime from on or off campus. Both Mac and PC users can use this service, and the storage space is regularly backed up so that users can recover files that are accidentally deleted or overwritten.
How do students obtain space on Files@Iowa?
All current University of Iowa students will automatically have space allocated to them on Files@Iowa. As long as you are enrolled in classes, you will retain your space on Files@Iowa. Once you are no longer registered for classes, you will no longer be eligible for Files@Iowa.
How do I access Files@Iowa?
You may access Files@Iowa in different ways, depending on your location and the computer you are using. If you are using a computer in an Instructional Technology Center (ITC), you should automatically have access to your H: drive (on a PC) or your Home drive (on the dock on a Mac). Go to the main Files@Iowa page for more detailed instructions on accessing Files@Iowa.
How can I tell if my computer is part of the Iowa Domain? Why does it matter?
If your computer IS in the Iowa Domain and you use your Hawk ID to log on to your computer on campus, your Home (H:) drive (and perhaps your Shared (L:) drive) may automatically be available.
What should I do if my Mac is not part of the Iowa Domain?
You can still access your space on Files@Iowa if your Mac is not in the Iowa domain. Go here for directions on how to access your files.
What should I do if my PC is not part of the Iowa Domain?
You can still access your space on Files@Iowa if your PC is not in the Iowa domain. Go here for directions on how to access your files.
How do I access my files via the web?
There are a variety of ways to access your space on Files@Iowa, including through the web. Go the main page that has detailed instructions on how to access your files.
How do I access Files@Iowa if I am a student employee?
Most student employees will be able to use their Home drives on campus or other methods (such as MyFiles) if they are off campus. This page has more detailed directions on how to access Files@Iowa. If you are a student employee and cannot access your space on Files@Iowa, please contact the ITS Help Desk at its-helpdesk@uiowa.edu or call 384-HELP.
How do I access Files@Iowa if I am an employee taking classes?
All students, regardless of faculty/staff appointments can access their Files@Iowa space using MyFiles Premium. If you are a faculty/staff member who is enrolled as a student and want to use the ITC H: drive or MyFiles basic, you will first want to consult with your departmental IT personnel.
How much space on Files@Iowa do I get?
All undergraduate students are initially allotted 1 GB of disk space on Files@Iowa. Graduate students, faculty, and staff receive 5 GB.
What if I need to increase my quota on Files@Iowa?
Quota increases can be performed by the ITS Help Desk. Please direct requests to its-helpdesk@uiowa.edu or call 384-HELP.
Are my files safe and secure in Files@Iowa?
The Files@Iowa interfaces use the Hawk ID authentication to ensure the security of your files. You can rest easy knowing that the professionals in Information Technology Services are backing up your Files@Iowa space every night, should a catastrophe or computer failure happen. Files stored in Files@Iowa are archived daily and as an additional precaution, these archives are stored off campus for your safety.
What if I accidentally delete a file from my Files@Iowa space?
Because we back up the data on Files@Iowa, users who accidentally delete or overwrite a file may be able to recover their data. We have directions for recovering data on a PC or on a Mac. If you have any questions about recovering data should contact the Help Desk at its-helpdesk@uiowa.edu or 384-HELP (4357).
Are there any restrictions or policies I should be aware of when accessing Files@Iowa?
The University of Iowa has an Acceptable Use of Information Technology policy which everyone at the University of Iowa is expected to abide by, and your Files@Iowa space is governed by this as well. Click here to view this document.
Can I share files with others on Files@Iowa?
No, Files@Iowa does not have the ability to securely share files with others. If you require an interface to share files with others, you may do so by accessing Xythos at http://xythos.uiowa.edu, which is a web-based utility intended to provide you with an easy-to-use interface to share files with users inside and outside of this institution.
Can I host web pages on Files@Iowa?
Unfortunately, Files@Iowa does not provide an option to host web pages. However, MyWeb provides students with space for publishing individual, academic-related web sites, free of charge. For more information on this, please go to http://myweb.uiowa.edu.
What happens to my Files@Iowa space when I leave the University?
Once you graduate or leave the University, your Files@Iowa space will be deactivated. At this point, files will have only read and delete permissions. Files@Iowa deactivation generally coincides with ITC access rights. At that point you will need to access your files via http://myfiles.uiowa.edu.
The deactivation period will last either until your ITC eligibility is turned on (re-enrollment) OR one year and one month after you leave the University, at which point the de-provisioning occurs. De-provisioning is a process that takes place one year and one month after your account becomes deactivated. At this point, all files will be removed from accessible file space and all Shadow Copy references will be removed. Additionally, your files will be archived to tape storage. These files will be archived for a period of no less than two years after the de-provisioning date.
If you have questions, or if you encounter any issues after your home drive has been moved to the new location, please contact the ITS Help Desk at 319-384-HELP (4357) or its-helpdesk@uiowa.edu.