Objective:

• How to connect to Columbia University Network File Shares

Target Audience:

• Columbia University Affiliates

Prerequisites:

• Columbia University VPN Access

Table of Contents

Columbia University Network File Shares

CUIT administrates and maintains a series of Network File Shares available for use for Departments and Columbia University Affiliates. Although they are commonly known and referred to by their mapped drive names (H Drive or M Drive), the actual drive letter can differ between different departments and users depending on how they mapped their drives. This means that while one person is referring to their H Drive, the user could actually be referring to a completely different location. 

The fully qualified names of the file share servers are:

• \\c-gp1.adcu.columbia.edu\grp1\
• \\c-gp2.adcu.columbia.edu\grp2\
• \\c-gp2.adcu.columbia.edu\grp3\

Department folders are located within the file shares listed above. Please note: the file shares are not interchangeable, if your department folder exists on GRP1 you will not be able to find it on GRP2 or GRP3.

Requesting a Network File Share and Increases

New Network File shares and storage increases to your Network File Share must be requested using the following request form: Link

Please see pricing information here: https://www.cuit.columbia.edu/shared-drive-account-administration

How to Connect - Managed Devices

These instructions are for Windows and MacOS devices managed by CUIT. If connecting from an unmanaged computer please use the steps in the next section. 

Steps - Windows Managed Devices

1. Connect to Columbia University's VPN using Cisco Anyconnect (more info here: https://www.cuit.columbia.edu/install-vpn)

2. Install Alpha Map from Software Center (If installed already, skip to next step)

   1. Launch Software Center and Search for Alpha Map
      
      
      
      
      

   2. Double click to open and install the tool.
      
      
      
      
3. On your desktop, there should now be two new shortcuts. Alpha Map and Alpha Un-Map
   
   
   
   
4. Double click on Alpha Map to run the tool; select OK to dismiss the prompts and complete the map.
   
   
   
   
5. Launch File Explorer and click on This PC on the lefthand bar.
   
   
   
   
6. Your file shares should be visible under Network Locations. Double click on your assigned share and navigate to find your folder needed. 

Steps - MacOS Managed Devices

1. Connect to Columbia University's VPN using Cisco Anyconnect (more info here: https://www.cuit.columbia.edu/install-vpn)
2. Launch the Self Service application from your Applications Folder
   
   
   
   
3. In the Self Service App, Select Browse on the lefthand sidebar and select Useful Links. You will be presented with the Network Mounts specific to your organization. Click Open to connect to the Share of your choice.
   
   
   
   
4. If prompted for credentials, enter them as:
   

   Name: ADCU\yourUNI
   Password: yourUNIPassword
   
   
   
   

   Note

   For convenience, you can select the box to Remember your password in my keychain.

5. Select Connect, If successful, Finder will open the folder. You can also find the share on Finder's left-hand sidebar under Locations
   
   
   
   

How to Connect and Map - Unmanaged Devices

These instructions are for Windows and MacOS devices not managed by CUIT. You can also use these instructions to select custom drive letters.

Connect and Map Steps - Unmanaged Windows Devices

1. Connect to Columbia University's VPN using Cisco Anyconnect (more info here: https://www.cuit.columbia.edu/install-vpn)

2. Open File Explorer and select This PC on the left hand sidebar.

3. On the top menu bar select Map Network Drive (Windows 11 Devices may need to select the "•••" to find the option)
   
   
   
   
4. Select the Desired Drive Letter and enter the full path of the folder of the folder you are trying to connect to (ex. "\\c-gp1.adcu.columbia.edu\grp1\")

5. Deselect Reconnect at sign-in and Select Connect using different credentials. 
   
   
   
   

   Different Credentials

   If you do not select "Connect using different credentials" your computer will attempt to use your local computer's credentials. If using an unmanaged computer this will fail. 

6. When prompted for credentials, enter them as:
   

   Name: ADCU\yourUNI
   Password: yourUNIPassword
   
   
   
   

   For convenience, you can select the box to Remember my credentials in Windows Credentials Manager

7. Select Ok, If connection is successful, explorer will open the folder. You can also find the Network Share in File Explorer in This PC.
   
   
   
   
8. Your file shares should be visible under Network Locations. Double click on your assigned share and navigate to find your folder needed. 

Connect and Map Steps - Unmanaged MacOS Devices

1. Connect to Columbia University's VPN using Cisco Anyconnect (more info here: https://www.cuit.columbia.edu/install-vpn)
2. From Finder's Menu bar, Select Go and Connect to Server.
   
   
   
   

3. In the Connect to Server Window enter the full path of the folder of the folder you are trying to connect to (ex. "\\c-gp1.adcu.columbia.edu\grp1\")
   
   

   MacOS SMB

   MacOS requires the address to be specified as SMB. Use the following addresses:

   • smb://c-gp1.adcu.columbia.edu/
   • smb://c-gp2.adcu.columbia.edu/
4. Select Connect, when prompted for credentials, enter them as:
   

   Name: ADCU\yourUNI
   Password: yourUNIPassword
   
   
   
   

   Note

   For convenience, you can select the box to Remember your password in my keychain.

   
   

5. Select Connect, If successful, Finder will open the folder. You can also find the share on Finder's left-hand sidebar under Locations.
   
   

Troubleshooting Access

Troubleshoot access issues with file shares on macOS