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A screenshot of the MSU secure file transport portal with the MSU logo in the upper left corner. The options of Request and Send are listed below.

 

 

 

 

 

What is the MSU Secure File Transfer Portal?

The MSU Secure File Transfer Portal is a Data Loss Prevention Tool, that can be used to send and receive files that require encryption and cannot be shared via email, SharePoint, or other electronic communication tools.

Note: FERPA compliant information IS allowed to be sent using this method

What kind of data can be sent through the Secure File Transfer Portal?

With the Secure File Transfer Portal, you can send/receive data classified as Restricted and Confidential. For more examples , check the Data Storage Guidelines matrix. Anything marked Yes in the Store in Knox column may be sent in a file through the SFTP.

How do I get started?

Use the Portal Login button at the top of this page to sign in with your NetID. 
If you need assistance with how to use the Secure File Transfer Portal you can visit the How To page for managing files and data, and how to send or request files.

How-To's

1. Click the portal login button at the top of this page.

2. Log in to Solarwinds with your MSU NetID and password.
Screenshot of the Solarwinds login page, requesting you log in using your MSU NetID and password. The Solarwinds icon is at the top of the page, which looks like an orange tornado.
You will be taken to the main Secure File Transfer portal page.

3. While in the Request tab, click "New Request".
Screenshot of the upper left corner of the secure file transfer portal. Under the MSU logo, there are two tab options, "Request" and "Secure"; a yellow arrow is pointing at the "Request" choice. To the right of this, a red square highlights the choice for "New Request", which has a small icon next to it of a piece of paper.
A pop-up will appear prompting you to fill out the request form.

4. Fill out the first page of the Request File form, then click Next.
Screenshot of the Request File form. In this section, it is asking you to fill out information for the file share, including: Title, Description, Expiration Date, and Password. The password in this screenshot is utilizing the Generate New Password option located to the right of the password section. There is also an option to not use a password, and to impose a file limit.
Under Description, provide the name of the file or the information needed to let the recipient know what to upload.

5. Fill out the second page of the Request File form, then click Finish.
Screenshot of the second page of the Request File form, titled "Guest and Sender". This page asks for the guest email address. You also have the options to check two boxes: "notify me when the file has been uploaded" and "send me a copy of the email with the upload link". Below this, you can click the drop-down menu under "change sender details" to change the account name and email address of the requester.
If you didn't supply a recipient, you will receive this notice to copy a link and provide it manually:
Screenshot of the "Get link" pop-up, which comes up after you submit the Request File form. Text reading "Anyone with the link can upload files" sits above a generated linl, which has an option button to the right of it for copying the link without highlighting it. Below this is text reading "Link will expire Apr 6, 2026, 12:00 am"; this expiration date will change depending on when you submitted your request and when you designated it. Below this, highlighted in a yellow box, is a yellow triangle with an exclamation mark next to text reading "You did not disclose any recipients for this file share. You must manually give this link to your recipients." At the bottom right corner of the pop-up is a button labled "Copy Link".

6. Under your requested files, you will now see a list of files you have sent.
Screenshot of the secure file transfer portal's requested files list. The list contains two requests, each with a different title, provided when filling out the request form. There are check marks next to them. Each item provides information labled Name, Sender, # Files, Size,and Status. The first option has the Received status.
The status of each request will change depending on whether or not the recipient has sent the file(s) or not.

7. If you click on a request, you will be taken to its sub-page, which lists whatever files the recipient provided.
Screen shot of a zoomed-in view of the upper left corner of the Requesst File tab, in the sub-page for a request. At the top, there is text reading "Requested > Secure File Transfer from MSU", indicating the breadcrumbs of how to get to this page. Under that, in larger bold text, is text reading "Secure File Transfer from MSU", which is the name of this request. Under this is the option to share the file(s), then a list of the files sent by the recipient. For this example, the file is called Library Chicken.png. There is a small check box next to this file, which can be checked to share it using the previously mention Share option above.

8. The recipient of the request will get an email notifying them of the request. For example, this is what it would look like if the recipient used a Gmail account:
Screenshot of a Gmail inbox email preview that shows what it would look like if you received an email from Solarwinds about a file share. The sender email is listed as servu@msubillings.edu, the subject is "Secure File Transfer from MSU", and the preview says "You have been granted access to a secure document share...".
The contents of the email will look like this:
Screenshot of an email from servu@bsubillings.edu, on behalf of [enter NetID@msu.montana.edu account used to send the request] letting you know that you have "been granted access to a secure document share in MSU's Secure File Transfer Portal". Below this, text reads "To better protect the sensitive imformation of our students and employees, all documents in that share are encrypted and available only to you through the link below, which will expire [insert expiration date here]. Following this is more text advising the recipient that this is an automated message and any questions should be directed to the sender. The link to the portal request is listed below this. Under the link is a section for "Notes from sender", which the sender would have filled out when creating the request.

9. If you selected the option to receive a notification when the recipient uploads the requested file(s), you will receive an email in whatever email you provided. In Outlook, this will look like this:
Screenshot of an Outlook inbox email preview. This email is from ServU Transfer with the subject "File uploaded to share: Secure File Transfer", with the sub-summary below this reading "[You don't often get email from servu@msubillings.edu]".
It does not matter that the email references MSU Billings; it still corresponds to MSU's Secure File Transfer Portal.

10. The email you receive will look like this:
Screenshot of an email from servu@bsubillings.edu letting you know that a file has been uploaded by the requested recipient. At the top of the message is text reading "[You don't always get email from servu@msubillings.edu. Learn why this is important at https://aka.ms/LearnAboutSenderIdentification]". Under this is more text reading "A file has been uploaded from share "Secure File Transfer from MSU" (this name will change depending on what you name the request). The email also lists the link to access the file and the same, size, and IP address of the file. At the bottom, there is a "Reply" button and a "Forward" button.

11. Once the file upload has been completed by the recipient, the requested will be listed with a status of "Received" under the Requests list in your portal.

Files exist in the portal for up to 7 days.

Uploading requested files

If you are the recipient of a file request, click on the link provided in the email you received from servu@msubillings.edu and it will take you to the Secure File Transfer Portal.

1. Input the password (if the request has one) and it will take you to the share.
Screenshot of a simple white web page with the title "Request files" at the top left. In the middle is an icon of a paper folder with a padlock on it. Below this is black text reading ")Please enter a password to view this file sharing". Below this is a fill-in-the-blank box labled "Password". At the bottom of the page is a blue "Enter" button.

2. You will be taken to the file upload page. 
Screenshot of a simple white page with the title "Request files" in the upper left corner. Below the title is a list of the following information: Subject - Secure File Transfer from MSU. Comments - [empty]. Sender - NetID@msu.montana.edu (first.last@montana.edu). Expires - Apr 6, 2026, 12:00:00 AM. URL - [link to share]. There is an option to copy the link below it. At the bottom of the page is a section titled "Upload files". In the center of this section is light grey text reading "Drop files to upload, or browse", where the browse option is a link that takes you to your computer's file explorer. At the bottom left of the screen is small text reading "Maximum file size can be limited depending on browser used".
Once uploaded, you do not need to click any buttons, but you'll see the upload status at the top right corner of the screen.
Screenshot of two green boxes, the upper one with text reading "Upload finished" above the other reading "Upload started". Both boxes have green checkmarks next to their text and blue X's to the far right of their text.

1. Click the portal login button at the top of this page.

2. Log in to Solarwinds with your MSU NetID and password.
Screenshot of the Solarwinds login page, requesting you log in using your MSU NetID and password. The Solarwinds icon is at the top of the page, which looks like an orange tornado.
You will be taken to the main Secure File Transfer portal page.

3. While in the Request tab, click "New Request".
Screenshot of the upper left corner of the secure file transfer portal. Under the MSU logo, there are two tab options, "Request" and "Secure"; a yellow arrow is pointing at the "Send" choice. To the right of this, a red square highlights the choice for "Send File", which has a small icon next to it of a piece of paper.
A pop-up will appear prompting you to fill out the request form.

4. Fill out the first page of the Request File form, then click Next.
Screenshot of the Send File form. In this section, it is asking you to fill out information for the file share, including: Title, Description, Expiration Date, and Password. The password in this screenshot is utilizing the Generate New Password option located to the right of the password section. There is also an option to not use a password, and to impose a file limit.
Under Description, provide the name of the file or the information needed to let the recipient know what to upload.

5. Fill out the second page of the Request File form, then click Finish.
Screenshot of the second page of the Request File form, titled "Guest and Sender". This page asks for the guest email address. You also have the options to check two boxes: "notify me when the file has been downloaded" and "send me a copy of the email with the download link". Below this, you can click the drop-down menu under "change sender details" to change the account name and email address of the requester.
If you didn't supply a recipient, you will receive this notice to copy a link and provide it manually:
Screenshot of the "Get link" pop-up, which comes up after you submit the Request File form. Text reading "Anyone with the link can upload files" sits above a generated linl, which has an option button to the right of it for copying the link without highlighting it. Below this is text reading "Link will expire Apr 6, 2026, 12:00 am"; this expiration date will change depending on when you submitted your request and when you designated it. Below this, highlighted in a yellow box, is a yellow triangle with an exclamation mark next to text reading "You did not disclose any recipients for this file share. You must manually give this link to your recipients." At the bottom right corner of the pop-up is a button labled "Copy Link".

6. Under your sent files, you will now see a list of individual instances. These instances do not have files in them until you click into one and upload.
Screenshot of the secure file transfer portal's sent files list. The list contains one instance with its own specific name, provided when filling out the file send form. There is a check mark next to it on the left. Each item provides information labled Name, Recipient, # Files, Size,and Status. The instance on the list has the Downloaded status.
The status of each instance will change depending on whether or not the recipient has downloaded the file(s) or not.

7. If you click on an instance, you will be taken to its sub-page, which lists whatever files the sender provided.
Screenshot of a Secure File Transfer from MSU, Sent folder. There is an empty list with a checkbox on the left and two collumns for information on the right: Name and File Size. Above this are two options: Upload and Share. The Upoad option is highlighted by a red box. In the center of the screen is a notice saying "This file share is empty".

8. Select "Upload" to begin the upload process. A pop-up will appear prompting you to browse for and choose a file or files to upload, then select Done.
Screenshot of a small pop-up window with the title of Upload. Text at the top left instructs to "Choose file". In the center of the window, there is a button labled "Browse" with a downward carrot symbol. Under this is text reading "Or drop files to upload". Below this is more text reading "Maximum file size can be limited depending on browser used." At the bottom right corner is a "cancel" button.

9. The sent file(s) will now appear in the instance's list.
Screenshot of a Secure File Transfer from MSU, Sent folder. There is a file listed as "library chicken.png" with a checkbox on the left and two collumns for information on the right: Name and File Size. Above this are two options: Upload and Share.

10. The recipient of the file(s) will get an email notifying them of the request. For example, this is what it would look like if the recipient used a Gmail account:
Screenshot of a Gmail inbox email preview that shows what it would look like if you received an email from Solarwinds about a file share. The sender email is listed as servu@msubillings.edu, the subject is "Secure File Transfer from MSU", and the preview says "You have been granted access to a secure document share...".
The contents of the email will look like this:
Screenshot of an email from servu@bsubillings.edu, on behalf of [enter NetID@msu.montana.edu account used to send the request] letting you know that you have "been granted access to a secure document share in MSU's Secure File Transfer Portal". Below this, text reads "To better protect the sensitive imformation of our students and employees, all documents in that share are encrypted and available only to you through the link below, which will expire [insert expiration date here]. Following this is more text advising the recipient that this is an automated message and any questions should be directed to the sender. The link to the portal request is listed below this. Under the link is a section for "Notes from sender", which the sender would have filled out when creating the share.

11. If you selected the option to receive a notification when the recipient downloads the sent file(s), you will receive an email in whatever email you provided. In Outlook, this will look like this:
Screenshot of an Outlook inbox email preview. This email is from ServU Transfer with the subject "File downloaded from share: Secure File Transfer", with the sub-summary below this reading "[You don't often get email from servu@msubillings.edu]".
It does not matter that the email references MSU Billings; it still corresponds to MSU's Secure File Transfer Portal.

12. The email you receive will look like this:
Screenshot of an email from servu@bsubillings.edu letting you know that a file has been downloaded by the requested recipient. At the top of the message is text reading "[You don't always get email from servu@msubillings.edu. Learn why this is important at https://aka.ms/LearnAboutSenderIdentification]". Under this is more text reading "A file has been downloaded from share "Secure File Transfer from MSU" (this name will change depending on what you name the instance). The email also lists the link to access the file, and the name and IP address of the file. At the bottom, there is a "Reply" button and a "Forward" button.

11. Once the file download has been completed by the recipient, the instance will be listed with a status of "Downloaded" under the Sent list in your portal.

Files exist in the portal for up to 7 days.

Downloading sent files

If you are the recipient of a file share, click on the link provided in the email you received from servu@msubillings.edu and it will take you to the Secure File Transfer Portal.

1. Input the password (if the instance has one) and it will take you to the share.
Screenshot of a simple white web page with the title "Request files" at the top left. In the middle is an icon of a paper folder with a padlock on it. Below this is black text reading ")Please enter a password to view this file sharing". Below this is a fill-in-the-blank box labled "Password". At the bottom of the page is a blue "Enter" button.

2. You will be taken to the file download page. 
Screenshot of a simple white page with the title "Send files" in the upper left corner. Below the title is a list of the following information: Subject - Secure File Transfer from MSU. Comments - [empty]. Sender - NetID@msu.montana.edu (first.last@montana.edu). Expires - Apr 6, 2026, 12:00:00 AM. Password protected - yes. URL - [link to share]. There is an option to copy the link below it. At the bottom of the page is a section titled "Download files". In this section, a single file is listed titled "library chicken.png" with a check box on its left and a file size of 471.69 KB at the far right. At the bottom right of the screen are two buttons: one white with blue text reading "Download all", the other one blue with white text reading "Download".

Your files will download to your device.

 

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