Access to Network Storage

How to Access Weinberg Network Storage

The easiest way to access your network storage from the Northwestern campus is to have your computer joined to the WeinbergIT Active Directory. Then the storage is automatically available each time you log into your desktop computer. (To join the Active Directory, enter a WeinbergIT Service Request.)

Click here for instructions on how to tell if your computer is joined to the WeinbergIT Active Directory.

If you are not part of the WeinbergIT Active Directory, or you are using a laptop, or you are working off campus, you can access your network storage by following instructions below. (You can also place a Service Request for assistance.)

Once you have access, use the network storage as you would your hard drive – you can create folders and drag and drop files between the network storage and your local computer.

Windows Initial Setup*

Connect to your individual network storage:

• Connect to the VPN if you are off-campus.

• Right click My Computer.

• Select Map Network Drive.

• Select drive letter Z: from the drop down menu.

• At folders, type \\<first letter in NetID>-home.ad.wcas.northwestern.edu\<NetID> (e.g. if your NetID is abc123, the path is
  \\a-home.ad.wcas.northwestern.edu\abc123).

• Choose Connect using a different user name.

• In the User name field, type in your NetID, and leave the Password field blank.

• Click OK.

• Put a check in Reconnect at logon.

• Click Finish.

• Enter your NetID password when prompted.

Connect to group network storage:

You may be sharing group network storage with more than one department or other grouping. Follow the instructions below for each of the groups to which you belong.

• Connect to the VPN if you are off-campus.

• Right click My Computer.

• Select Map Network Drive.

• Select drive letter Y: from the drop down menu.

• At folders, type \\groups.ad.wcas.northwestern.edu\<department>                       (see list of department names).

• Choose Connect using a different user name.

• In the User name field, type in your NetID, and leave the Password field blank.

• Click OK.

• Put a check in Reconnect at logon.

• Click Finish.

• Enter your NetID password when prompted.

• If you work with more than one department, repeat these steps for each department drive you want to connect to.

*A Note on Windows 7:  Those who are not being supported by WeinbergIT, such as graduate students and visting faculty, who need to access Weinberg Network Storage should be aware that Windows 7 Home Premium does not include the ability to join a network domain.  Computers with Windows 7 Home Premium will have to upgrade to Windows 7 Professional in order to access network storage.

WeinbergIT is not yet supporting Windows 7.  Please remember that Weinberg College maintains license agreements for faculty and staff for all Windows operating systems; upgrades to Windows 7 Professional will be available to faculty and staff when we support Windows 7.

Windows Access after the Initial Setup

• When you login to your computer, you will get a message stating, "Could not reconnect all network drives." This message can be ignored. It's just letting you know that you're not yet connected to the Northwestern network.

• Connect to the VPN if you are off-campus.

• Open My Computer.

• Double click the network drive that you want to connect to.

• Enter your current NetID password to reconnect.

OS X Initial Setup

Connect  to your individual network storage:

• Connect to the VPN if you are off-campus.

• Pull down the Go menu in the Finder.

• Click Connect to Server .

• For server address type,
  smb://<first letter in NetID>-home.ad.wcas.northwestern.edu/<NetID>
  (e.g. if your NetID is abc123, the path is
  smb://a-home.ad.wcas.northwestern.edu/abc123).

• Click Connect.

• Enter your NetID password.

• Locate the mounted volume that appears on your desktop computer and drag it to your dock.

Connect to group network storage:

You may be sharing group network storage with more than one department or other grouping. Follow the instructions below for each of the groups to which you belong.

• Connect to the VPN if you are off-campus.

• Pull down the Go menu in the Finder.

• Click Connect to Server.

• For server address type, 
  smb://groups.ad.wcas.northwestern.edu/<department>
  (see list of department names).

• Click Connect.

• Enter your NetID password.

• Locate the mounted volume that appears on your desktop computer and drag it to your dock .

• If you work with more than one department, repeat these steps for each department drive you want to connect to.

OS X Access after the Initial Setup

• Connect to the VPN if you are off-campus.

• To access the drive, click the volume on your dock.

• You should always disconnect from network drives before disconnecting from the VPN. To disconnect, open each network drive and click Command-E (Apple button-E).

For further information or assistance, please enter a WeinbergIT Service Request. A WeinbergIT technical support consultant will be happy to help you by phone or in person.