Andrew File System (AFS) ended service on January 1, 2021. AFS was a file system and sharing platform that allowed users to access and distribute stored content. AFS was available at
afs.msu.edu and netfiles.msu.edu.
AFS was launched in the mid-1990s and was eventually superseded by newer platforms. AFS accounts were removed in the service retirement process. If you were an AFS user and you would like a copy of your files, please contact the IT Service Desk.
Recommended Alternative Services
File Storage and Sharing
If you are using AFS to share files and folders, consider moving content to Spartan OneDrive or MSU Google Drive. Further information will be sent to those using AFS to host web pages, as well as being shared on this page. You can check if you have an AFS account by logging in at netfiles.msu.edu and browsing your folders for stored content.
Spartan OneDrive is only available to active MSU Staff, Faculty, and Students. Retirees and Alumni are recommended to use a personal cloud storage account such as Google Drive.
Web Hosting
MSU offers multiple web hosting options that can be used as a replacement for AFS.
Free Options:
This easy-to-use platform will make it simple to recreate websites with built-in tools, however, there is no full publicly-facing option available.
An accessible, MSU-branded website that is primarily used for MSU unit websites. Making content publicly available requires hosting space such as the LAMP stack (see below).
Developers may create their own websites in Cascade Server, tailored to the specific needs of their units. Independent developers will implement websites using highly customized layouts, workflows, and CMS features and functionality.
SharePoint tools are incredibly simple and intuitive, even for novice users. However, the personal blogs are limited to viewers with MSU accounts.
Google Sites on MSU Google Apps
Google Sites has a well-developed set of tools, and its ease of use make it a great option for hosting. Google Sites does not support HTML.
Paid Options:
MSU IT LAMP Stack costs $10 per month, plus an initial $50 setup fee. Migration is essentially a copy-paste function, and LAMP Stack works with genuine domain names such as mysite.msu.edu. This option is not recommended for websites that cannot experience downtime, as the LAMP stack may experience occasional outages.
