A network share is a place on a file server where individuals and groups can store and access files. Files stored on a network share are accessible to anyone who has permissions to the share; such files are also backed up automatically, which relieves you of that burden. On a Windows computer, local storage volumes have letter shortcuts. For example, the first hard drive in a Windows system is by convention given the shortcut "C:" and called
the "C drive." For convenience, Windows lets you assign a drive letter to network share as if the share were a hard disk volume mounted inside your computer. You just need to know the network path to the share, also known as the UNC [universal naming convention] path or pathname. Instructions: Unsure of the network path? Check for common server names on
the accessing network storage shares page.Introduction
Instructions
If you plan to map a drive and then use the mapped drive off campus, it is better to first set up the drive mapping while on campus.
Windows 10
- If you are off-campus, first make a VPN connection to the college network.
- Use Windows Search to find This PC.
- Select This PC in the search results.
- The window opens to the Computer tab. Click Map Network Drive.
- The
Map Network Drive window appears. From the Drive drop-down menu, select an available, unassigned letter. It is better to use letters at the end of the alphabet.
- Next, enter the network path of the share you want to map. Remember the network path consists of the server name, followed by the share name, in the following
form:
\\server-name.amherst.edu\share-name [note the two leading backslashes] - If you are mapping this drive on a computer that is joined to the Amherst domain and that stays on campus, check the Reconnect at logon box.
If this drive will be accessed from off-campus using VPN or from on campus from a computer that isn't joined to the Amherst domain [e.g., a student computer], do not check or deselect Reconnect at logon.
If this drive will be access from off-cammpus using VPN, make sure to check the Connect using different credentials box. - When prompted, in the user name field, enter AMHERST\ followed by your Amherst username.
Example: AMHERST\amammoth where amammoth is the user name - Enter your Amherst password in the Password field.
- Click OK. Often it prompts twice, if so click OK again. You will receive a notification if your user name or password are typed incorrectly.
- Last click Finish.
Additional steps for off-campus use:
Once you've mapped a drive you should create a shortcut to it. Right-click on the drive icon in Computer and select Create Shortcut. Put the shortcut on your Desktop. Then, to reconnect to the drive from off-campus, simply double-click on the shortcut. Of course, when you are off-campus, be sure to make a VPN connection to the college network before using the shortcut.
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“Net use” is a command line method of mapping network drives to your local computer.
- The full syntax for net use is available from Microsoft.
- The Username and Password parameters are only required if the computer is not CornellAD joined.
Example: For CornellAD user “pqs665” to mount his CIT departmental CIFS share [“systems”] as drive letter H: on a CornellAD joined computer:
net use H: \\files.cornell.edu\cit\systems /persistent:yes
- Notes:
- "User" and "password" parameters are not required as user “pqs665” is authenticated from his logged in session on CornellAD.
- The “/persistent” flag enables the mapping to remain thru computer reboots.
- Quote characters [“\\files.cornell.edu\cit\systems files”] need to be added if the path has a space in it].
Example: For non-CornellAD user “PhilSchmertz” [local machine account, or account from an Active Directory domain other than CornellAD] to mount the same CIT departmental CIFS share [“systems”] as drive letter “H:”
net use H: \\files.cornell.edu\cit\systems /user:cornell\pqs665 * /persistent:yes
- Notes:
- This command prompts non-CornellAD user “Phil Schmertz” to enter his CornellAD “pqs665” domain password, then maps his departmental CIFS share as drive letter “H:”.
- The “*” forces the query for CornellAD password entry.
- The “/persistent” flag enables the mapping to remain until deliberately disconnected/deleted.
- Quote characters [“\\files.cornell.edu\cit\systems files”] need to be added if the path has a space in it].
To see what drives are mapped/available either look under “Computer” [or “My Computer”], or via command line enter Net Use.
To remove network mapped drives either select “Disconnect” [right-click on “Computer” or “My Computer”], or via command line enter:
net use H: /delete
[H: in this example, only]