Dear community,
we are using Moodle 3.9 and Azure AD with oauth2 and plugin set o365 and we want to implement Onedrive as a repository in Moodle.
Moodle provides a core plugin "Microsoft OneDrive" (https://docs.moodle.org/39/en/OneDrive_repository). It must be configured with Microsoft oauth2-services, after that you can use it as a repository. The Moodle plugin set for o365 (https://moodle.org/plugins/browse.php?list=set&id=72) provides also a Plugin "Microsoft 365 Repository". It must only be activated as repository.
Both repositories provide the possibility to pick up files in OneDrive via Moodle. But what's the difference between these two plugins? Is there anything to consider?
thanks, br Anton
Difference between repositories Microsoft OneDrive and Microsoft 365 Repository
by Anton Tremetzberger -
Number of replies: 2
In reply to Anton Tremetzberger
Re: Difference between repositories Microsoft OneDrive and Microsoft 365 Repository
by Rob Davenport -
Hi Anton,
We have been recently trying to configure and test both types - with limited success.
The OneDrive (for business) repository we have working, clicking on the OneDrive repository from the file picker presents files in the users OneDrive (assuming you are using Azure directory services - or the user directory is synced). On the whole this is working including the use of a 'Service Account' in OneDrive to enable what is called 'Access controlled links'. This means a student can upload a file (say to an assignment) from their OneDrive - however the file is copied into the 'Service Account' OneDrive (and not into Moodle itself), and the file linked into the submissions. This means a student can not access (or change) the submitted file, and also the file is not consuming (expensive) Moodle file directory space.
We wanted to use this as a way for students to upload very large submissions (such as 3D CAD files) without consuming hosting space, which is far more expensive. The problem we encountered is that it really only works for files up to 200MB, as larger than that, the comms between OneDrive and Moodle times out, as it takes too long for OneDrive to copy the file to the 'Service Account'.
Using MS365 plugin and repository - we haven't been able to load files from OneDrive at all, and Microsoft have not been at all helpful with any assistance. The documentation suggests the MS 365 suite is primarily designed to integrate (and suck users into) using Teams - where it can create Sharepoint sites for each course in Moodle. However we just want to use and integrate with OneDrive, or other specific Sharepoint repositories.
The bottom line is that Microsoft aren't very interested in supporting either option in our experience.
Hope this helps, Cheers,
Rob.
We have been recently trying to configure and test both types - with limited success.
The OneDrive (for business) repository we have working, clicking on the OneDrive repository from the file picker presents files in the users OneDrive (assuming you are using Azure directory services - or the user directory is synced). On the whole this is working including the use of a 'Service Account' in OneDrive to enable what is called 'Access controlled links'. This means a student can upload a file (say to an assignment) from their OneDrive - however the file is copied into the 'Service Account' OneDrive (and not into Moodle itself), and the file linked into the submissions. This means a student can not access (or change) the submitted file, and also the file is not consuming (expensive) Moodle file directory space.
We wanted to use this as a way for students to upload very large submissions (such as 3D CAD files) without consuming hosting space, which is far more expensive. The problem we encountered is that it really only works for files up to 200MB, as larger than that, the comms between OneDrive and Moodle times out, as it takes too long for OneDrive to copy the file to the 'Service Account'.
Using MS365 plugin and repository - we haven't been able to load files from OneDrive at all, and Microsoft have not been at all helpful with any assistance. The documentation suggests the MS 365 suite is primarily designed to integrate (and suck users into) using Teams - where it can create Sharepoint sites for each course in Moodle. However we just want to use and integrate with OneDrive, or other specific Sharepoint repositories.
The bottom line is that Microsoft aren't very interested in supporting either option in our experience.
Hope this helps, Cheers,
Rob.
In reply to Rob Davenport
Re: Difference between repositories Microsoft OneDrive and Microsoft 365 Repository
by Anton Tremetzberger -
Hi Rob,
Thank you for your detailed answer. The "access-controlled links" function sounds interesting, but we don't use this scenario at the moment.
We have briefly tested both products, but have also encountered some major problems:
Moodle Core's OneDrive repository allows teachers to link files in Moodle from OneDrive. This is the scenario that is most desired here. Access to the files from Moodle to OneDrive is well regulated: only those people who are also enrolled in the course have access to the files in OneDrive (I don't know how this is managed in the background).
But there is a serious disadvantage: if you embed OneDrive files as a link in Moodle, these files are not updated in Moodle after being changed in OneDrive. There is a tracker entry for this: https://tracker.moodle.org/browse/MDL-72611
When using MS365 repository, files which are embedded in Moodle as a link from OneDrive are also updated when changing them in OneDrive. However, the MS365 repository has another disadvantage: sharing the files works differently. The files are not only visible to the students of the course, but can also be viewed by other students/teachers of the same organisation (if they know the link). This option is not desired by us. You could control access to OneDrive manually, but that is too much effort. However, we still need to look at this in detail to see if the access rights can be managed even better.
We have also had good experience with submitting the requirements for the MS365 plugins directly via Github as an issue (https://github.com/microsoft/o365-moodle/issues). Maybe developments around the MS365 Repository will also be implemented quickly.
Best regards, Anton