What is the Files app?

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The Aspera on Cloud Files app allows users in a workspace to access a collection or repository of folders. Once accessible in the Files app, these folders can be shared freely with one or more members of the workspace, according to permissions set by the person sharing the folder. Workspace members can also share with people outside the workspace according to permissions configured by the org admin or workspace manager.

See also Should I send or share? and What is the Packages app?

Files app in the organization and in the workspace

The Files app is enabled for your organization by default. You can disable it for the entire org if no workspaces need permission-based access to folders in a shared repo. When you enable the Files app for a given workspace, all members of that workspace can access and use Files.

If enabled for your organization, you can enable or disable the Files app in each workspace. When you add a new member to the workspace, that person automatically gains access to the Files app in that workspace, including to folders shared with that workspace, by an administrator or by another user.

You configure the Files app at the global level. Global settings are inherited by the Files app in each workspace where it is enabled. An admin or a workspace manager can customize inherited settings at each workspace. For details, see Accelerate Files app setup through inheritable settings.

When you add a new member the workspace, that person automatically gains access to the Files app in that workspace.

Add files and folders to the Files app

The folder must be in the Files app before it can be shared. Folders in the Files app may be added by:

  • The administrator, who can make folders from a transfer server available to Files app users in a given workspace.
  • Files app users with permission to upload, who can then share their folders with others.
  • Other Files app users who share folders.
  • A Files app user can save content they receive in a package in the Packages app directly to their Files app (assuming they are member of both apps in the same workspace).

Share folders

The folder must be in the Files app before it can be shared. Note that you cannot share a file, only a folder. To share a file, place it in a folder, then share the folder.

A workspace member with access to the Files app can freely share folders within the app with other workspace members. With proper permissions, the member can share folders with AoC users outside the workspace, or with people who do not have an AoC account.

Users who receive shared access to a folder can in turn share it with others, according to their permission in the workspace and to their permissions to the specific folder. When re-sharing a shared folder, they can grant only the access they have to the folder, or less.

Upload and share

Files app members with proper permission can upload files and folders from any accessible source (user desktop, local or remote storage, attached node) to the app. One the folder is uploaded, that user can share the folder with others. Until the folder is shared, it is visible and accessible only to the user who uploaded it (and to the administrator). For details, see Managing storage usage

Permissions

When users share folders with others, they grant each recipient specific permissions to act on the folder and its contents. Users can share a folder with one group of colleagues, granting them specific permissions, and share with a different group of colleagues with a different set of permissions.

Permissions presets bundle the atomic content permissions most often used together:

  • Edit (This is the highest level of permission and gives a user full control over the item, it contains all other permissions.)
  • Download (browse folder content, preview supported movie file types, download the folder or its contents)
  • Preview (browse and preview)
  • Upload (create and upload folders and upload files)

Atomic permissions are also available:

  • Browse folder contents
  • Upload files and folders to the folder
  • Create or upload an empty folder in the shared folder
  • Download the folder or its contents
  • Rename the folder
  • Preview the movie files in the folder (users can always view thumbnail previews of supported image types)
  • Delete or overwrite files and folders in the folder

Save to the Files app from the Packages app

Files app users can save content they receive in a package in the Packages app directly to their Files app (assuming they are member of both apps in the same workspace).

Send packages directly from the Files app

Packages app users can send digital packages directly from the Files app (assuming they are member of both apps in the same workspace). This means users don't have to download content from Files, switch to the Packages app, then create a digital package and send. Rather, they can right-click an item in their Files app and select Send via Packages to open the Send files form.