Project Overview
The APAN FileSender.Asia project aimed to deliver a secure, multilingual file transfer service for research and education institutions across 24 beneficiary economies. It supported both federated login and Identity Provider of Last Resort (IdPoLR) to ensure broad access, featuring a user-friendly interface translated into over 20 Asian languages.
Multilingual Support
Interface translated into 20+ Asian languages including right-to-left scripts
Regional Coverage
All 24 Asi@Connect Beneficiary Economies:
Key Features
End-to-end encryption and secure protocols for large file sharing across institutions.
Support for institutional login through federated identity providers and IdPoLR.
Translated into 20+ Asian languages including RTL support for Arabic and Urdu.
SPF, DKIM, DANE, and DMARC configuration prevents spam filtering.
Comprehensive user and admin guides with multilingual subtitles.
Open-source platform fostering regional collaboration and development.
Activities Conducted
Launched FileSender.Asia enabling secure large file transfers across all Asi@Connect economies with federated login and IdPoLR support.
Hosted Birds of a Feather session in Kathmandu to introduce the service and collect feedback from NREN representatives.
Translated platform interface into over 20 regional languages, including RTL scripts for inclusive access.
Produced comprehensive user and admin video guides with multilingual subtitles for platform adoption.
Integrated federated login for member institutions and deployed IdPoLR for non-federated access.
Configured SPF, DKIM, DANE, and DMARC to ensure reliable delivery of file-sharing links.
Key Outcomes
Platform successfully launched at https://apacfilesender.asia, providing secure file transfer solution for all 24 Asi@Connect economies.
Integrated federated authentication and Identity Provider of Last Resort ensuring access for both federated and non-federated institutions.
UI/UX translated into 20+ languages including RTL scripts, ensuring platform usability for diverse Asian communities.
Two complete video tutorials produced with multilingual subtitles for user onboarding and administration.
Promoted through APAN55 session and regional publicity, engaging NRENs and stakeholders across Asia-Pacific.
Implemented SPF, DKIM, DANE, and DMARC protocols preventing spam filtering and ensuring secure link delivery.
Partner Organizations
Relevant SDGs
Challenges & Future Directions
Challenges Encountered
Advanced features like encryption and vouchers took longer than planned, affecting initial timeline coordination.
Procurement delays led to temporary cloud hosting instead of optimal physical server deployment.
Many institutions lacked access to national federations, increasing dependency on IdPoLR solutions.
Technical compatibility issues prevented BIMI certificate implementation, though other protocols succeeded.
Future Directions
- Expand FileSender Nodes: Deploy additional instances across the region for enhanced performance and service continuity
- NREN Engagement: Encourage broader participation by regional NRENs for localized support and increased adoption
- Service Integration: Explore integration with complementary tools like eduSign for digital signing and verification
- Community Development: Continue growth through Service Sustainability Group formed at APAN55 for long-term planning
- Feature Enhancement: Foster community involvement in setting development priorities based on actual user needs