Personal tools
University Computing Service

Desktop Services

Access to DS-Filestore CIFS Service from Windows XP

Creating your Share Path

Share paths changed in mid-September 2011, and the old paths no longer work. Details below.

In order to connect using CIFS, you have to know the "share path" that will identify your DS-Filestore filespace.  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.

You can work out the share path using the provided table.  The examples below use a sample share path \\home.ds.cam.ac.uk\TZ\WG-ZZ\zzzz99.

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. Two different ways to do this are described below.

Note: NetBIOS needs to be enabled for CIFS to work. It is enabled on Windows by default. See Support Document

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: \\\\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/Tools/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 the same server

e.g. for a 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