As we mark the 15th anniversary of FileSender, it is a perfect opportunity to reflect on its journey, the impact it has had, and what makes this tool a popular choice for researchers who need to move large datasets between collaborators, instruments, data storage and compute here in Australia and around the globe.

What is FileSender?

FileSender is a web-based application that allows users to send large files securely and easily over the internet. What sets it apart from many other file-sharing services is its ability to handle extremely large files, often up to thousands of gigabytes, with the added advantage of encryption protocols, ensuring that files remain confidential during transit.

The platform is designed primarily for academic and research communities, offering a secure method of transferring the large datasets that are typical in these fields.

Who Developed FileSender?

FileSender began as a joint project of the national research and education networks (NRENs) from Australia, Norway, and Ireland, and AARNet, Australia’s NREN was the first NREN to deploy the service. The collaborative effort of these NRENs ensured that FileSender was built with the unique needs of the academic and research community in mind. Today FileSender is deployed as a national R&E service in more than 45 countries and has been selected for the file transfer functionality of the EU (European Union) Node of the European Open Science Cloud (EOSC).

Read more about the history of FileSender

Who can use FileSender?

FileSender is offered in Australia by AARNet free of charge to AARNet customer institutions affiliated with the Australian Access Federation. This means that users from these institutions can easily access FileSender using their existing institutional credentials without having to create an account with a new set of login details.

Its intuitive interface and straightforward functionality make it accessible for both technical and non-technical users alike. FileSender users can also provide project collaborators who are unable to access FileSender with vouchers to send files.

Celebrating 15 Years of Innovation

This year, we celebrate 15 years since FileSender's launch. Over these years, FileSender has not only grown in terms of user base and features but has also consistently adapted to the evolving digital landscape, emphasising security and efficiency. A commitment to security, combined with ongoing updates and improvements, ensures that FileSender remains at the forefront of file-sharing technology.

As we celebrate this milestone, AARNet acknowledge the contributions of everyone who has supported the FileSender project over the years. From the developers and contributors to the diverse community of users, it is the collaborative spirit that has propelled FileSender forward. A special thanks goes to our peers from the global network of NRENs around the world whose ongoing work on the development of FileSender is invaluable.