Access to DS-Filestore CIFS Service from Windows Vista and Windows 7

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

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 Vista Business, Vista Home Premium and Windows 7 Professional (note that they should also work with Windows 7 Home Premium, but we have yet to test this).

First you will have to change a security policy setting (you only have to do this once) -

• login to Vista/Windows 7 with Administrator privileges
• download and run this file to alter the registry

See filesystem notes and troubleshooting for an explanation.

If you want to reverse the above registry change (ie stop using our CIFS service) then this file provides the antidote

Now 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 cmd in 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: \\home.ds.cam.ac.uk\TZ\WG-ZZ\zzzz99 * /USER:zzzz99
• You will be prompted for your Desktop Services password.
• Note: If you want this CIFS share to reconnect automatically next time, add /PERSISTENT:YES at 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 My Computer and from the Tools menu select Map Network drive
• Select drive U:
• Put your CIFS share path in the Folder box e.g. \\home.ds.cam.ac.uk\TZ\WG-ZZ\zzzz99
• If you want this CIFS share to reconnect automatically next time, tick the 'Reconnect at logon' box.
• On clicking finish you will be prompted for your DS userid and password.

Using CIFS to connect to other resources

Group filespaces are available via CIFS from \\home.ds.cam.ac.uk

e.g. for DS group filespace the share path would be \\home.ds.cam.ac.uk\UX\Groups\[your group name]

Volume SSCH: is available via CIFS from \\home.ds.cam.ac.uk\ssch.