| Q | What is a network drive? |
| A | A network drive is a location on the network in which you may store files. |
| Q | What is a mapped drive? |
| A | A mapped drive is a network drive (see above) that has been "mapped" so that it appears to be an additional physical drive on the computer. "Mapping" the drive essentially creates a shortcut that Windows uses to get to the network location. |
| Q | When should I use a mapped drive? |
| A | You should use a mapped drive to avoid loss of mission-critical data, especially when the data is confidential. Mission-critical data should never be stored in a single place such as a single hard drive. In general it's a good idea to have more than one copy of anything you can't afford to lose but this is especially true when it's mission critical data. You can store additional copies of documents and other data on flash (USB) drives, CDs, etc. You should not, however, store confidential and/or legally protected data on these devices. This is where the mapped network drive comes in: it allows you to store confidential data on a server that you can access from your desktop computer. |
| Q |
What sorts of documents should I store on a network drive? |
| A | Should store: Documents and files necessary to perform
your job and that, further, are both of a mission critical nature and
not available elsewhere. Blank forms that are downloadable from a
website, for example, are rarely considered mission critical data Should not store: Personal files, spreadsheets, pictures, movies, etc. Personal files should not be stored on a network drive. Faculty scholarship is considered work-related rather than personal, however. |
| Q |
How do I get a network drive that I can map? |
| A | You can request network space from Technology Services via email to HelpDesk@tamu-commerce.edu. |
| Q | How do I map a drive? |
| A | You can find directions for mapping a network drive here: http://www.tamu-commerce.edu/ctis/network/mapdrive.htm |
| Q |
I keep getting a window that pops up and asks for my password every time I try to open my mapped drive. No matter what I put in it just pops back up again. What's happening? |
| A | Chances are that your password has expired. Passwords for network/email logons expire every 90 days. Additionally adjunct faculty member accounts also expire at the end of each long semester. |
| Q | Can I access my network drive from home? |
| A | Not normally. |