This article describes how to map your RDSS share as a network drive on your computer.
When to map
Consider mapping your share as a network drive when:
- You use the computer to access your share/folder regularly
- You want your computer to automatically reconnect to RDSS if the connection is disrupted.
- Storing your NetID and password on the computer you're using is safe. For example, when you're the only one who uses the computer or you log in with a unique user name and password that no one else has.
When not to map
Consider establishing a temporary connection when
- You don't use the computer to access the data often
- You're connecting to the share/folder on a computer with a group login. For example, a computer attached to an instrument in a core facility that has one user name and password for everyone.
In this case, we suggest using the instructions in Connecting to a Research Data Storage Service share. After you're done with your work use the instructions in Disconnecting from a Research Data Storage Service (RDSS) share to remove access to your share.
Setup instructions
Follow these operating specific instructions to map your RDSS share or FSMResfiles folder as a network drive.
MacOSX
Go to System Preferences -> Users & Groups
- Select your user account from the list on the left
- Click the Login Items tab on the right side of the window. This will show you all of the apps, scripts, documents, and user services that are configured to launch automatically when your user account logs in
- To add your network drive to this list, simply locate the network drive’s icon on your Desktop, and then drag and drop it into the Login Items list
Windows
- From any File Explorer window, navigate to Tools -> Map Network Drive
- Pick a drive letter to use and enter the full path to the share. For example, if you are using drive letter T: and mounting the share called northwesternit_research from the server resfiles, you would type in the Folder: \\resfiles.northwestern.edu\northwesternit_research
- Check "Reconnect at login" if you would like the drive to mount at login.
- Click "Connect using a different user name". Enter your username as "ads\<NetID>" (replacing <NetID> with your actual NetID, do not include brackets), and enter your NetID password.
Email rdss-help@northwestern.edu if you have questions or need help using RDSS.