Disk Space at Stanford
On this page:Overview
Account disk space
Email disk space
Checking disk space
Getting more disk space
Research disk space
Archiving
Some people have more
What is research disk space
Overview
Disk space is online storage space. Stanford students, faculty, and staff are provided a variety of online storage options for their computer files. The information below gives you a quick description of AFS disk space, email disk space, research disk space, and other storage options at Stanford. There are links to the details on each of these storage systems.
Files are stored in AFS (Andrew File System). In AFS, your storage space works like the hard disk in your Mac or PC. You can store your computer files on AFS storage space but, instead of being inside your desktop computer, the files are stored in large computers (servers) across campus. There are many servers that effectively create one large storage system shared by thousands of users. You don't have to be sitting at your Mac or PC to access your AFS disk space; you can access it from almost any computer.
Account disk space
When you get a full service SUNet ID, you get a Stanford UNIX account that comes with 1 GB of AFS disk space for storing web pages, text files, computer programs, and other forms of electronic information. This space is also referred to as "disk quota" or sometimes just "quota." This space can fill up fast depending on how you use it. It's important to monitor your disk space. Check the Stanford UNIX account disk space page for more information.
Email disk space
Email disk space is not the same as AFS disk space. Your SUNet ID comes with 1 GB of email storage (plus 1 GB of AFS storage space). Email is stored on Stanford's mail servers—special computer files on the AFS servers. So far, so good: everything separate and distinct. Things get confusing when you check your mail. If you have a desktop email program (e.g., Outlook or Thunderbird) and you use POP mail, by default your email gets downloaded to your desktop computer. You won't have any problems unless you tell the email program to "Leave Mail on Server."
If you have a UNIX-based email program, like Pine or Elm, your email gets loaded into AFS space (specifically, into the "Mail" sub-directory of your UNIX account). And as soon as email gets placed into your AFS space, it counts against your total AFS disk quota. If you use IMAP, your email is stored on the server (email storage, not AFS space). Bottom line: If you exceed your 1 GB email quota, your email program will stop receiving email for your account. For more information see the Email storage page.
Checking disk space
AFS: to check your personal AFS and email quota at the same time, log into Stanford UNIX and, at the command prompt, type:
lelandquota
To check your group or department AFS quota, log into Stanford UNIX, use the "cd" command to get to the group or department directory you want to check and, at the command prompt, type:
fs listquota
Email: your email quota is displayed in the Stanford Email and Calendar web client. The bar in the upper left corner under the Stanford logo and your name shows your current storage usage in Webmail. Hovering your cursor over the bar displays your current quota usage in megabytes and by percentage.
How to get more disk space
Personal AFS: to request more personal AFS disk space, use the AFS Space Request form.Group/Department AFS: to request more group or department AFS disk space, send a request to HelpSU detailing how much additional space you need and why you need it.
Email: To request more email space:
- See how much it costs: go to the Sponsorship
page and click on "Additional email quota."
- Find a sponsor—an instructor or department administrator—who agrees that you need more email disk space and is willing to pay the cost.
Research disk space
If you need large amounts of disk space for academic or unsponsored research, use the Research Disk Space Request form. To learn more about what research disk space is, see the paragraph below.
Archiving your files
The time will come when you must clean out files you don't need now, but may need later. For most people, this happens when they're about to leave Stanford. There is no need to print out email, or lug reams of computer print out and documents. The Leaving Stanford page has details on how to disconnect services and archive/store email and other files.
Some people have more disk space
Certain types of academic coursework requires extra disk space. Course instructors determine if an increase in disk quote is warranted. If you are granted a quota increase, when you finish the course your quota will drop to its previous level. These changes in disk space are reflected in your quota summary when you check quota online.
Students doing academic research projects can also be sponsored for more disk quota by the researcher or instructor for whom they're doing the work. If you feel that you qualify for more disk quota, you can fill out an AFS Space Request form.
What is research disk space?
Researchers often have large data sets that must be stored. Researchers with large storage needs can obtain extra disk space from IT Services. This space is not part of the main AFS system, but it is also easily accessed. It is only available to Stanford faculty or students doing academic or non-sponsored research. As you might imagine, this disk space is very popular, so be sure to request and reserve it before it is required. To learn more, go to the Research Disk Space Request page.
