Andrew File System (AFS) will be ending service by January 1, 2021. AFS is a file system and sharing platform that allows users to access and distribute content. AFS can be accessed via afs.msu.edu and netfiles.msu.edu.
AFS was launched in the mid-1990s and has been superseded by newer platforms. AFS accounts will be removed in the service retirement process. File contents from AFS will be copied to users’ Spartan OneDrive accounts by the end of the Spring 2020 semester. Notification of this change will be sent to accounts as file contents transition.
AFS public files, including web pages, will be placed in a read-only mode by the end of the Spring 2020 semester and will be taken offline by January 1, 2021.
Preparing for the Retirement
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.
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.
Domain of One’s Own is a managed WordPress system that is available to faculty and graduate students. WordPress makes moving and editing web content simple.
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).
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 Sits has very few drawbacks, and its well-developed set of tools and ease of use make it a great option for hosting.
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.
