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Computer Requirements

Computer Requirements
(Main Page):

File Transfer Options

There will be many occasions during your program when you will need to copy files from one computer to another. And sometimes you'll need to copy a file that is too large for whatever media you happen to have in your hand. There are many ways to accomplish this task, and some of these ways may influence your purchasing decisions. The discussion below helps you decide which forms of transferring files are best for you at UCSF.

What skill level in transferring files is expected?

Everyone has different skills and needs when it comes to the ability to transfer files. Since USB drives have so many advantages for this purpose, we require you to have at least a 128 MB USB drive. However, other methods of transferring files are equally acceptable, and we recommend that you become comfortable doing so using more than one method.

If you can successfully copy a file larger than 1.5 MB from your computer to another computer using your USB drive and one other method listed below, then you have met our expectations.

We strongly encourage you to become familiar with as many of the options below as possible because computers on campus vary from room to room -- you won't always have your preferred file transfer option available.

File Transfer Options

Some of the most popular options are summarized in the table below, with longer descriptions of some of them afterwards.

Transfer Method Advantages Disadvantages
Floppy Drive Some computers on campus have one. Increasingly rare. Only stores up to 1.4 MB, which may be inadequate for some needs.
CD-RW drive Virtually every computer on campus can
read a CD-ROM, holds up to 700 MB. 		Most CD-RW drives require a more tedious process
called "burning" to copy files to a CD --
it's not as easy as copying files with floppies or USB drives.
DVD±RW drive Stores 4.7 GB, which is
about 6.5 times more capacity than CD-RW discs. 		DVD±RW drives require a more tedious process called "burning" to copy files to a DVD -- it's not as easy as copying files with floppies or USB drives. Not every computer on campus can read the various flavors of DVD discs.
USB Flash Drives Inexpensive. Nearly all computers on campus have USB ports, some versions provide additional security options. These small objects can be easily lost or stolen, requires easy access to USB ports.
Virtual Disk Drives (VDD) No hardware or media costs; nothing to carry around to get lost, damaged, or stolen; virtually every computer on campus has access to the Web. Less useful when you have very large files and only a dialup connection at home, some VDD services require a monthly fee, has the slowest data transfer rates, potentially less secure if you're worried about privacy or confidential data.
Wireless Networking No media costs; can easily transmit files larger than 4.7 GB. Most viable only with portable computers, requires some initial configuration, not all campus locations are wireless-networking-accessible, more expensive than wired networking, slow data transfer rates compared to most other methods.
Wired Networking No media costs; can easily transmit files larger than 4.7 GB. Only viable with laptop computers, requires some initial configuration, not all campus locations are wired-networking-accessible, must carry a cable.

What are USB Flash Drives?

Also known as flash memory drives or "keychain drives", USB flash drives store data using technology with no moving parts (see examples shown below). They enable you to carry many megabytes of data on an object that's small enough to enclose in your hand. The minimum drive size is 128 MB but greater capacities are available and cost-effective. Check for USB 2.0 compatibility for best transfer speeds.

example images of USB flash (keychain) drives

What are virtual disk drives?

Virtual disk drives (VDDs) use Web-based networks to store files and to copy files from one computer to another. If your home computer can access the Web and if the computer to which you need to copy a file can also access the Web, then you can upload the file from one location and download the file from the other -- a virtual disk drive. Because you're using some company's servers for the storage, this method is a service and does not require a hardware purchase (except for hardware to connect to the Internet). Some VDDs are free; additional features require a per-month fee. See a list of virtual disk drive providers (Google). If you choose this option, we strongly recommend that you seek a VDD provider that transmits and stores your data using encryption. Also, with this option we recommend broadband instead of a modem connection at home because you may need to transfer very large files.

What is wireless networking?

Many campus locations support wireless networking -- bring your 802.11b- or 802.11g-equipped laptop, configure it to use the UCSF Library's Laptop Internet Access Service (LIAS), and your computer can access the Internet and the local network in certain areas of campus. Not all areas on campus are covered by the wireless network. The campus does not support -- and is unlikely to widely adopt -- the 802.11a wireless protocol. Be aware that having 802.11g does not guarantee you 802.11g speeds. If someone using 802.11b connects to your 802.11g access point, everyone using that access point drops down to the 802.11b speed. See Should I buy a laptop? for a comparison between wired and wireless access at UCSF. More info: What is 802.11b? and What's the difference between 802.11b and 802.11g?

What is wired networking?

Many campus locations also support wired networking -- bring your Ethernet-equipped laptop and a cable, configure it to use the Laptop Internet Access Service (LIAS), and your computer can access the Internet and the local network in certain areas of campus. See Should I buy a laptop? for a comparison between wired and wireless access at UCSF. More info: What is Ethernet?

What's least expensive?

Virtual disk drives require no hardware and no media costs, so they are the least expensive. For all the other options, here's the breakdown:

For hardware costs: USB drives range from $8 to several hundred dollars depending on their size. CD-RW drives begin at $15. DVD±RW drives begin at $30.

Prices for computer equipment fluctuate frequently, so shop around.

For media costs: There are no media costs for USB drives and wired and wireless networking. For other media, such as blank discs, prices vary greatly depending on variables such as brand name, quality, and quantity. Search storage media on PriceGrabber.

What's easiest to use?

USB drives and floppy disks are easiest.

Virtually all computers available to you have easily accessible USB ports.

What's best for extremely large files?

For file sizes up to 700 MB, use CD-RW or DVD±RW. For file sizes up to 4.7 GB, use DVD±RW. For file sizes larger than 4.7 GB, use a laptop with wired or wireless networking. If you have the money for it, consider the largest sizes of USB drives and portable hard disk drives.

What's Fastest?

In terms of data transfer rates, from fastest to slowest:

  1. wired networking using gigabit (1000 Base-T) Ethernet (1000 Mbps)
  2. USB drive and a computer using the USB 2.0 Hi-Speed specification (480 Mbps)
  3. DVD±RW (169 Mbps)
  4. wired networking using 100 Base-T Ethernet (100 Mbps)
  5. CD-RW (70 Mbps)
  6. wireless networking using the 802.11g protocol (54 Mbps)
  7. USB drive and a computer using the older USB 1.1 specification (12 Mbps)
  8. wireless networking using the 802.11b protocol (11 Mbps)
  9. virtual disk drives (For dialup: 56 Kbps, For broadband: contact your ISP to determine your upload and download speeds or try Speed Test)

The transfer speeds above are theoretical, best-case, sometimes-approximate, and/or typical limits; actual rates are subject to many more variables which are beyond the scope of this simplified explanation.

What if I Don't Know What to Get?

We require that you have at a minimum a 128 MB USB drive. We strongly recommend that it uses the USB 2.0 Hi-Speed specification.  Buy the largest size you can afford.

Go To:  How Do I Get Help With . . . ?  or  Should I Buy a Laptop . . . ?  or  Computer Requirements (home page)

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Revised:  July 1, 2006
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