Attention Windows 7 users
Microsoft will stop supporting Windows 7 on 14 January 2020, and will no longer supply any security updates for the operating system.
We recommend that all users upgrade to Windows 10 as soon as possible to avoid the risk of their devices becoming increasingly vulnerable to cyber attacks.
Creating your share path
In order to connect using CIFS, you have to know the "share path" that will identify your DS-Filestore filespace. See the instructions provided. Once you have the share path, you can copy and paste it into a suitable command or window according to which operating system you are using, as described below.
Drive mapping
Make sure you are connected to the CUDN. If you're away from Cambridge, you can use the UIS VPN service to connect to the CUDN remotely.
You can map your DS-Filestore home directory to any available drive letter; the example uses U: which is the drive letter used for the same purpose on the Managed Cluster Service.
These instructions have been tested on Windows 7 Professional, Windows 8.1 and Windows 10.
You can follow these mapping steps – there are two alternative methods but the final effect is the same:
Option 1 (via the command prompt)
- Go to START and then Run, and type
cmdin the Run box. This brings up a Command Prompt. - At the Command Prompt type
net use u: [cifs share path] * /USER:[DS userid]
e.g.net use u: \\filestore.ds.cam.ac.uk\a\aaaa99 * /USER:PWFAD\aaaa99 (the path is \\filestore.ds.cam.ac.uk\first initial of CRSid\CRSid) - You will be prompted for your Desktop Services password.
- Note: If you want this CIFS share to reconnect automatically next time, add
/PERSISTENT:YESat the end of the line. - Note: to delete the drive mapping use the command
net use u: /delete
Option 2 (via the graphical interface)
- Navigate to "Computer" and on the toolbar select the [Map Network drive] button
- Select drive U:
- Put your CIFS share path in the Folder box e.g.
\\filestore.ds.cam.ac.uk\a\aaaa99(the path is \\filestore.ds.cam.ac.uk\first initial of CRSid\CRSid) - If you want this CIFS share to reconnect automatically next time, tick the 'Reconnect at logon' box.
- Tick "Connect using different credentials"
- Click "Finish" and type in PWFAD\username and password.
Using CIFS to connect to other resources
Group filespaces are available via CIFS from \\filestore.ds.cam.ac.uk
e.g. for DS group filespace the share path would be \\filestore.ds.cam.ac.uk\UX\Groups\[your group name]