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Central File Services - Instructions for macOS

Instructions for using Central File Services using Mac OS X. Central File Services are authorized only for use on NDSU owned computers.

macOS On Campus

  1. In the Finder, click the Go menu and choose Connect to Server.
  2. In the Server Address field, enter the drive path (see table below) for the drive you want to map.
  • Note: For department shared drives there are four drive path options, and for personal user drives there are four drive path options. If you are not sure which path to use, try the first option. If you receive an error message stating you do not have permission to use that drive, you can try another option or contact the IT Help Desk (231-8685 or ndsu.helpdesk@ndsu.edu) for assistance.
  •  Drive  Drive Path(s)
     Department Shared Drive  smb://file01.ad.ndsu.edu/mac-shared-m
    OR
    smb://file01.ad.ndsu.edu/mac-shared-k
    OR
    smb://file02.ad.ndsu.edu/mac-shared-m
    OR
    smb://file02.ad.ndsu.edu/mac-shared-k
     Personal User Drive  smb://file03.ad.ndsu.edu/mac-home-k
    OR
    smb://file03.ad.ndsu.edu/mac-home-m
    OR
    smb://file04.ad.ndsu.edu/mac-home-k
    OR
    smb://file04.ad.ndsu.edu/mac-home-m
     Cross-Department Shared Drive  smb://file05.ad.ndsu.edu/mac-global-k
  • Click Connect
  • When prompted, enter your firstname.lastname (e.g., jane.doe) and enter the password associated with your NDSU electronic-ID.
  • You should now be able to store and access your folders and files in that mapped drive.
  • When saving to your drive(s), use the following folder(s):
  • Department Shared Drive – "Mac-Shared" folder
  • Personal User Drive – "Mac-Home" folder
  • Cross-Department Shared Drive – "Mac-Global" folder

macOS Off Campus

NDSU Owned Computers

If you are on an NDSU owned computer and need to access your shared folders remotely, you can do so by first installing the Cisco AnyConnect software VPN and then using the above On Campus instructions to map the drives if they are not already mapped. If they are already mapped, you should be able to open the folders once you have connected to the Cisco AnyConnect VPN.

Instructions to download, install, and connect to the Cisco AnyConnect software VPN can be found at Cisco Anyconnect Software VPN. You will be required to log into the page with your Bison Login.

Personal Computers

If you are on an personal computer and need to access your shared folders remotely, you can do so by setting up RDP on your office computer and connecting to your office computer using RDP.

For those who have an ITS managed office computer, you can follow the instructions on the Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) page.

For those who are not using an ITS managed office computer, please reach out to your department's IT support for assistance configuring RDP.

See Also