File system repository

The file system repository allows access to files which have been uploaded (e.g. via FTP) into designated folders on the server. A file system repository may be available site wide for everyone; within an individual course or for an individual user.(However - see this tracker entry regarding course and individual repositories)

This must be done by a systems admin who has write permissions to the server directories.

New feature
in Moodle 4.1! When a file from the file system repository is re-used elsewhere on Moodle, the teacher has the option to make a copy (a new, unconnected version) or to create a shortcut or alias. See Working with files for more details.

Once a repository has been created and files uploaded to it, the files can be made available within the file picker for use within a course. There are several steps to take to implement this feature:-

These must be done by a systems admin who has write permissions to the server directories and admin permissions within Moodle.

Creating folders for your file system repositories

Find the moodledata folder on the server
Inside it, create a folder called "repository"
Inside that folder, create as many folders as you need, named appropriately.

Creating repositories on the server

Copy into the appropriate folder the files you want (using FTP, SFTP, shared folder etc.). (The folders can hold all types of files)

Enabling the File System repository plugin

Go to Settings > Site administration > Plugins > Repositories > Manage Repositories;
Select from the drop down next to File system "Enabled and visible"

Enabling the file system repository

Click the Settings link..

Setting up a site-wide file system repository

Having clicked the "Settings" link as above:

Scroll down to Repositories instances of the site
Click Create a repository instance
Give it a name and (if there are several folders on the server) choose from the dropdown the one you want. Click Save.
It will now be available in the file picker in all courses.

Creating a new file system repository

Selecting and naming the repository

NOTE: Just repeat the process to get more than one site wide file system repository

Setting up a repository inside a course

NOTE only Moodle admins can do this in version 2.3

Enable repositories as in the instructions above. On the Settings page:

Check the top box allowing users to add a repository instance to the course (1 below)
Go to the desired course and click on “repositories” in the administration block(2 below)
Scroll down and click "Create File System instance" (3 below)

1:Enable course repositories

2:Click "Repositories" in Course admin

3:Click to create an instance in the course

Follow the same process as here

Setting up an individual file system repository instance

NOTE: Only Moodle admins can do this in version 2.3)

Enable repositories as in the instructions above. On the Settings page:

Check the top box allowing users to add a repository instance to the user context (1 below)
In the navigation block, click on “my profile”
Click on “Repositories” (2 below)
Click “Create File System instance”
Follow the same process as here
This will create a personal file system repository connecting just you to a folder on the server (3 below)

1:Enable user repository instances

2:Click the Repositories link in profile

3:Adding files from individual repository

Upload any files required by course creators to the appropriate folders

Server permissions are needed here to add via FTP (or other method) the required files.

From this point on the check boxes need not be set - leaving them set just invites people to create a repository instance and then advises them that they do not have sufficient privilges.

Using a File System repository file

A user can now make use of the uploaded files by accessing the repository from within the file picker, creating a resource link to a document, for example. This process copies the uploaded file into Moodle and students may access the resource.

Adding a file from a file system repository

Note that file types are respected (based on file extensions), so if you are adding an image in the editor, then you won't see Office docs (for example) appear in the File Picker.

Repository capabilities

There is just one capability, View file system repository, which is allowed for the default authenticated user role. This means that if a student is required to upload a file - upload assignment, for example, then the repository files may be browsed. It may be more appropriate for this permission to be changed so that course creators have the capabilty, but not students.

Documentation