Christopher Newport University provides a network file storage system that allows you to store your CNU-related files in a secure, accessible, and backed-up location. This article will answer the most frequently asked questions about networked file storage.

Why use network file storage?

There are several reasons to use network file storage:

• It is backed up both on and off-campus

• It is accessible from any computer on campus (and off-campus via Virtual Private Network (VPN))

• Regular snapshots are taken, allowing files to be restored if they're damaged

What can not be stored on the file storage?

CNU's networked file storage is reserved for files related to CNU business only.  The following items are not allowed on the network file storage:

• Personal files, especially music or movie files.

• Executable files and Virtual machines: These take up considerable space and don't work well when running from the network drive.

• Full hard drive backups: instead, save your CNU files directly to the network drive.

How do I access the network file storage?

To access the network file storage, you must be on campus or connected to the campus network through CNU's VPN. How you get to it depends on your computer.

Windows

The network file storage is automatically mapped to all CNU Windows computers.  To access it, open Windows Explorer and see the “F: drive.”

Within that drive, you'll see your three network storage locations.

• Personal is accessible only to you. 

• Departments contain a folder for each department in which you are a member. Each department folder is open to the entire department, and no changes will be made to access the department folder.

• Collaborative contains a folder for each cross-departmental group that has requested a network file storage location. You will only see Collaborative folders that you have access to. Generally, all the contents of a Collaborative folder are accessible to anyone with access to the folder. If you need more complex or frequently changing permissions, we recommend a Google Shared Drive.

Mac

A quick summary of how to join the files shared drive is the following:

1. Open Finder → CMD+K → smb://files.cnuadmin.cnu.edu → Sign in with your CNU ID and current password.

Once you do, you'll see files.cnuadmin.cnu.edu on the left side of Finder.

Clicking on that will bring up your three network storage locations.

• Personal is accessible only to you. 

• Departments contain a folder for each department in which you are a member. Each department folder is open to the entire department, and no changes will be made to access the department folder.

• Collaborative contains a folder for each cross-departmental group that has requested a network file storage location. You will only see Collaborative folders that you have access to. Generally, all the contents of a Collaborative folder are accessible to anyone with access to the folder. If you need more complex or frequently changing permissions, we recommend a Google Shared Drive.