How to create a network drive on a server

To map a network drive, complete the following steps.

1. Make sure that you have IBM® i Access for Windows installed on your server and on your workstation. For more information on how to install and configure IBM i Access for Windows, see Installing IBM i Access for Windows. You must have a connection configured for the server before you can map a network drive.
2. Open Windows Explorer:
   1. Right-click the Start button on your Windows taskbar.
   2. Click Explore in the menu.
3. Select Map Network Drive from the Tools menu.
4. Select the drive that you want to use to connect to your server.
5. Type the path name to your server. For example, \\MYSERVER where MYSERVER is the name of your server.
6. Check the Reconnect at logon box if it is blank.
7. Click OK to finish.

Your mapped drive now appears in the All Folders section of Windows Explorer.

Mapping a network drive is a method to connect to a shared network folder, such as a share on a ReadyNAS storage system. This article explains how to map a network drive using Windows 10, 8, 7, Vista, or XP. For Mac instructions, see How do I map a network drive in Mac OS X?

To map a network drive in Windows 10 or Windows 8:

1. Click the Start button.
2. In the search box, type This PC, then select This PC from the search results.
3. Click Computer and then click Map network drive.
   
   
4. In the window that opens, choose an available letter from the Drive list.
5. In the Folder box, type the path to the shared network folder (the format is \hostnamesharename, where hostname is the name or IP address of the network device and sharename is the name of the shared network folder). 
   You can also click Browse to find the folder you want to map on the network.
6. Click Finish.
   
   

Your mapped drive is now available under This PC.
 

To map a network drive in Windows 7 or Windows Vista:

1. Click Start > Computer > Map network drive.
   
   
2. In the window that opens, choose an available letter from the Drive list.
3. In the Folder box, type the path to the shared network folder (the format is \hostnamesharename, where hostname is the name or IP address of the network device and sharename is the name of the shared network folder). 
   You can also click Browse to find the folder you want to map on the network.
4. Click Finish.
   
   

Your mapped drive is now available under Computer.
 

To map a network drive in Windows XP:

1. Click Start.
2. Right-click My Computer and select Map Network Drive.
3. In the window that opens, choose an available letter from the Drive list.
4. In the Folder box, type the path to the shared network folder (the format is \hostnamesharename, where hostname is the name or IP address network device and sharename is the name of the shared network folder). 
   You can also click Browse to find the folder you want to map on the network.
5. Click Finish.
   Your mapped drive is now available under My Computer.

Connecting to (a.k.a. mapping) network drives allows University members to access files stored on University servers. Storing files on network drives provides a user more storage space, backups of their files, and secure ways of sharing files between departments.

Considerations when mapping a network drive:

• In order to map a network drive, users must be granted permission by their department or supervisor to access the material. If a user is in need of permissions, supervisors or departments can submit a Departmental Data Storage request form.
• Due to HIPAA compliance, AHC drive mappings are not typically permitted.

Mapping a network drive

• Windows 10
• Mac OSX

Mapping a network drive in Windows 10

1. Connect to Split Tunnel or Full Tunnel VPN if off campus.
2. Click the Start menu.
   
   
3. Click File Explorer.
4. Click This PC in the left side shortcut menu.
   
   
5. Click Computer > Map network drive > Map network drive to enter Mapping wizard.
   
   
6. Confirm drive letter to use (next available shows up by default).
7. Enter the server path for the network folder (e.g. \\files.umn.edu\NAME\FOLDER, or \\files.umn.edu\OIT\Subfolder).
   
   
   • Used letters are followed by server paths in parentheses.
   • Tip: Select Reconnect at sign-in to connect this drive every time Windows starts.
8. Select Connect using different credentials if using a computer that is not University-owned.
   • Enter ad.umn.edu\your Internet ID and password when prompted.
     • Or, you can use [email protected]
   • Not sure if your computer is University-owned?
     • Check the computer name.
     • University-owned machines typically have names that start with UMN or end with .ad.umn.edu.
9. Click Finish at the bottom of the window.
10. Find the network drive located in the Network locations section of This PC.
    
    

Mapping a shared folder in Mac OS X

1. Connect to Split Tunnel or Full Tunnel VPN if off campus.
2. Click Finder in the Dock.
   
   
3. Find Go in the top menu bar.
4. Click Connect to Server (command + k).
   
   
5. Type cifs: + the network drive path (e.g. cifs://files.umn.edu/OIT).
   • Note: Your department may give you the path as \\files.umn.edu\NAME, but Mac paths use forward slashes, not backslashes.
   • Try smb: + network drive path if cifs: does not work.
   • Tip: Click the + button to save frequently used network drive paths for future use.
     
     
6. Type AD\ + your Internet ID and your password if prompted.
   
   
   • Note: Use a backslash (\), not a forward slash (/). Use AD\ if computer is not bound to the AD. Use your Internet ID only if the computer is bound to the AD.
     • Alternately, you can use [email protected]
7. Click Connect.
   • To navigate back to your network drive share.
     1. Click Finder.
     2. Click files.umn.edu under Shared in the left hand Finder menu.
        
        
     3. Navigate to the folder that was shared with you.
        • Note: While all of the folders in files.umn.edu are visible, you can only see the contents of folders specifically shared with you.

TDX ID

3998

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