CIFS Mapping Script

Background:

This utility is meant mainly for machines without the Novell client installed, typically off campus, where "regular" drive mappings are required or desired.  (For light use, we still recommend Netstorage or WebDrive.)  Use of this utility simplifies the process of mapping drives to the Novell servers for H: and W: access, etc.  This behavior can be manually simulated -- the utility is merely a convenience.  For more information, please SUBMIT REQUEST.

Requirements:

A VPN connection is required for use off-campus.  High speed internet access is also advisable.  Admin rights may be required the first time it is run.  The following drive letters must also be free:  H:, L:, N:, R:, S:, W:, Y:.  Note that some drive letters may be in use by local devices on your system (e.g., usb hard drives, storage card readers).  In some cases, the drive letters for these devices may be reassigned using the Disk Management utility in Windows (diskmgmt.msc) by those with technical knowledge.  Improper use of the Windows disk manager can cause errors, system malfunction, or loss of data.  For more information or assistance, please SUBMIT REQUEST.

Instructions:

1. If you are off-campus, connect to the University VPN.
2. Download the utility from http://sasdeploy.rutgers.edu/cifs/cifsMapper-rad.exe and double-click it.  You can safely ignore any warnings about the executable being unsigned or unknown and allow it to run.
3. If the utility tells you that a security change is required, click Yes to allow it to happen.  If you are warned that admin rights are needed to make the change, re-launch the program As Administrator (i.e., with elevated rights).  This is only required the first time.  Subsequent runs should be launched "normally" (non-elevated) to allow you to access the drive mappings.*
4. Follow the prompts to supply Novell context (department), username, and password.
5. Upon successful drive mapping, access the drive letters through whatever mechanism you normally use -- e.g., Windows Explorer, Word's File --> Open menu, etc.
6. When you are finished using the drives, run the utility again and choose to Disconnect when prompted.  This will unmap the drives.  Alternatively, you can disconnect each drive manually -- e.g., in Windows Explorer, right click the drive and choose Disconnect.  For performance reasons, it's best to disconnect the drives before disconnecting from the VPN.
7. Disconnect from the VPN.

* If you are told the drives mapped successfully but don't see them in Windows Explorer, be sure you have run the utility *without* admin rights.  For security reasons, newer versions of Windows keep elevated processes separate from "normal" processes like your desktop session.  To make the drives accessible to your session, they have to be mapped without elevation.