File transfer glossary: the terms explained
File transfer services use a small set of recurring terms. Understanding the difference between a transfer, a share, and storage explains most of what separates one service from another.
The three core concepts
Transfer
A one-time delivery. Files are uploaded, a link is created, and the link expires after a defined period.
Share
Giving specific people access to content that stays in your storage, usually with a permission level.
Storage
The space where your data lives independently of any single delivery, until you remove it.
Terms you will meet
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Download link | Unique address that grants access to uploaded files |
| Expiration | The moment a transfer stops being available |
| Transfer limit | The largest amount of data allowed in a single transfer |
| Storage capacity | Total space available in your account |
| Encryption in transit | Protection of data while it travels over the network |
| End-to-end encryption | Protection of the content itself, readable only by sender and recipient |
| Geo-redundancy | Copies of data kept in more than one physical location |
| Shared folder | A folder other people can access, with defined permissions |
| Team member | An additional user under one account |
| Custom subdomain | Your own address for uploads and downloads |
| Transfer log | Record of incoming and outgoing transfers |
| Two-factor authentication | Second verification step when signing in |
Units and sizes
File sizes are usually given in megabytes, gigabytes, and terabytes. One terabyte is a thousand gigabytes, and one gigabyte is a thousand megabytes.
For orientation: an email attachment limit is around 25 MB, a free MyAirBridge transfer covers 20 GB, and the Enterprise plan removes the transfer limit entirely.
FAQ
What is the difference between a transfer and a share?
A transfer is a one-time delivery that expires. A share gives specific people ongoing access to content that stays in your storage.
What does expiration mean?
The point at which a transfer stops being available and the download link no longer works.
What is geo-redundancy?
Keeping copies of data in more than one physical location so that a failure in one place does not cause loss.
Summary
Most file transfer terminology reduces to three ideas: a transfer is a delivery that expires, a share is access to content that stays, and storage is where that content lives. The remaining terms describe limits, protection, and administration around those three.