If you frequently access a file server from a Mac, it is helpful to map the network drive to your desktop. There are two ways to do this. One method is only mapped for one time use and will reset after a reboot. The other method is a more permanent route that allows the mapped network drive to always appear and mount on your desktop after system reboots and user log ins.
Method 1: Mapping a network drive to Mac OS X
This method maps a network drive that will disappear if the network connection drops or if you reboot your Mac:
From the Mac OS X Finder, hit Command+K to bring up the Connect to Server window.
Enter the path to the network drive you want to map, e.g. smb://fileshares.louisville.edu/data
Click Connect
Enter your ULink userID and password (type ad\before your userID:ad\userID) and click OK
to mount the network drive
The drive will now appear on your desktop and in the Finder window sidebar under Shared. ( If not visible on the desktop, see below.)
Method 2: Mapping a network drive to Mac OS X that remounts after system reboots
This method allows you to reboot your Mac and have the mapped network drive automatically remount and appear on the desktop. This is more persistent than the above method.Mapping a network drive to Mac OS that remounts after system reboots
Download and install the GlobalConnect VPN client from https://vpn.louisville.edu (NOTE: Requires a VPN account: Please see the article https://uofl.atlassian.net/l/cp/ccuPnFBT to request A VPN account if you don’t already have one)
Connect to the VPN - Click the GlobalConnect Globe icon in the menu bar and select "Connect"
From the Finder, hit Command+K
Enter the path to the network drive you want to map, e.g. smb, smb://fileshares.louisville.edu/usr/userIDdata
Click Connect
Enter your ULink userID UserID as AD\UserID and password (type ad\ before your userID: ad\ userID) and click OK
The drive is now mounted. Continue on to map for system reboot persistence
Now enter into System Preferences, from the Apple menu
Click on Accounts
Click on Login Items
Click on the + button to add another login item
Locate the network drive you previously mounted and click Add
Exit out of System Preferences
Your network drive will now be mapped and automatically remounted when you reboot your Mac.
Making the mapped network drive visible on the Mac desktop
It is possible that the mounted drive will not appear on the desktop due to a system setting. If you want the mapped drive icon to be visible on the desktop, take the following additional steps:
From the Finder, open Finder Preferences by hitting Command+, (hold down Command and press the comma key)
Click the General tab
Select the checkbox next to Connected Servers (if it’s not already checked)
Close Finder Preferences
Selecting the checkbox next to Connected Servers ensures that you will see the icon on your Mac desktop. Otherwise, it will only be visible in the Finder window sidebars and Open/Save dialogues
Remounting the mapped network drive with a click
A useful additional step for either method is to create an alias of the mapped network drive. This allows you to reconnect to the share with just a click.
Follow these steps:
Right - click on the mapped network drive on the Mac OS desktop
Select Make Alias
Now you can double - click that alias to reconnect to the network drive instantly. Another way to connect to the shared drives is to click on Finder, choose Go from the top menu, then click on Connect to Server. You will see a list where the server address can be added to your Favorite Servers. Click on the saved server, then choose Connect. The far right icon (which looks like a clock) has a drop - down menu to choose recent servers.
...
Now go to System Preferences, from the Apple menu
Click on Users & Groups
Click on Login Items
Locate the network drive you previously mounted on the desktop and drag & drop it into the list
Exit out of System Preferences