Access to group-owned Desktop Services filespace

Group-owned Desktop Services filespace allows a group to store and access shared data and to publish group web pages. To apply for a group-owned filespace on DS-Filestore, fill in this web form.

If you are running a group filespace, you can access it either directly from a Managed Cluster machine, or remotely, for instance from a College room or from home, in a number of different ways. Which method is most convenient for you will depend on exactly what you need to do and on your own machine and its configuration.

Locating a group filespace when you are logged in directly at a Managed Cluster machine

Using Windows XP: Click on the Start menu. Click on My Computer then double-click Ux on home (X:), then the groups directory and locate your society directory.

Using a Macintosh: When you log in to the Managed Cluster Service you will automatically be connected to UX. An icon will appear on the desktop. Select the groups directory and locate your group directory.

Using Linux: Double click on the Computer icon. Click on Filesystem > ux > groups. Now locate your society directory. You could also use a terminal window.

Locating your group filespace when you are working somewhere else:

• CIFS: The easiest process is to mount the group filespace directly on your desktop, so that it just looks like another device like a CD drive or USB flash memory. From Windows or Linux you use CIFS to do this, and from a Mac you use AFP. This is straightforward if your machine is within the cam domain (and not using Eduroam); see the CIFS page and go to the instructions at the bottom of the page on "connecting to other resources".
• NetStorage: If you are outside the cam domain you can use a Web access via NetStorage. This provides slightly more restricted facilities, depending on the capabilities and configuration of your web browser; see the NetStorage page for all details. Note that DriveX@UX contains all group and society filespaces.
• File transfer: You can always operate by transferring files using normal file transfer utilities. To do this, connect (using any file transfer program that supports SFTP) to sftp.pwf.cam.ac.uk using your standard Desktop Services username and password. Then navigate to /ux/SOC to find group and society spaces.
• Remote login: From any system you can login remotely (using ssh or slogin) to MCS Linux (login to linux.pwf.cam.ac.uk) and manage your files directly using Unix commands. To find your group filespace, cd to /ux/groups/. This is the only way to check your quota remotely, and only remote Linux and NetStorage allow you to change access rights remotely.

Last updated: September 2011