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Office of Information Technology (OIT)


Office of Information Technology (OIT) > Moodle > Instructor Guides > Moodle and NetFiles

Moodle & NetFiles

NetFiles is a file storage application with collaboration and sharing features, which can be used by students, faculty, and staff to store up to 5 gigabytes of files. Instructors can contact their departmental IT staff to store class materials on departmental NetFiles space (or email netfiles@umn.edu).

Users can decide to use NetFiles with Moodle if they need to exchange large files, share user-created websites, or reuse the same content in different locations.  NetFiles serves as a central repository which prevents having to update content in multiple locations.

Using NetFiles with Moodle consists of the following steps: uploading to NetFiles, sharing the directory or file, and posting the link to Moodle. The first 2 steps are documented at Netfiles:

Step 1: Create a Directory and Upload a File to NetFiles

  1. Log in to NetFiles: http://netfiles.umn.edu.
  2. For instructions, go to http://www.oit.umn.edu/netfiles/upload-download/index.htm.
  3. From the menu on the left, select Upload & Download Files.
  4. Choose Use the Web Interface or whichever option you prefer.
  5. Follow the instructions to upload your content to Netfiles. 

Step 2: Share a File or NetFiles Directory via the Ticket System

  1. For instructions, go to http://www.oit.umn.edu/netfiles/share-files/index.htm.
  2. From the menu on the left, select Share Files.
  3. Click Use Tickets to Share Content.
  4. Suggested settings:

    5.    •  Viewer (Read-Only)

       •  Limited/Unlimited (how long you want the document/directory available)

       •  Moodle is already password protected, you shouldn't need a ticket pw

       •  Sending an email is optional.

  5. Copy the Ticket Link URL. It will look similar to this: https://netfiles.umn.edu/xythoswfs/webui/_xy-4053922_1-t_sTscMUyt. 

Step 3: Provide a URL to the File or Directory in Moodle