Technology
Help Desk
Mac OS X: Access Your File Server Drives Using A Personally Owned Computer
All members of the Simmons community have access to storage space on the file server. Each Simmons faculty and staff member has a personal file server folder, where they can store up to 1 GB. Students can store 100MB of data. You can access these folders from any computer with an Internet connection using http://remote.simmons.edu (for assistance, see the instructions). Alternatively, when your computer is attached to any data port on campus (e.g. in your dorm room), you may attach your computer to the file server the same way Simmons computers in the Information Commons and classrooms attach. To do this, to "mount" the folder locally, read on. If you need assistance, please visit the Library Information Commons Technology Desk or call the Simmons Technology Help Desk at x2222.
To access your file server drives from a Simmons-owned computer on campus or using another operating system (e.g. Windows XP), please see other versions of this document: http://my.simmons.edu/technology/helpdesk/fileserver.
Step 1) From the menu bar at the top of the screen, select Go , and then Connect to Server… . In the Server Address: field, enter afp://mcbfs1.simmons.edu and click Connect .
Step 2) Log in by entering your
a) Username (Same as Simmons Webmail)
b) Password
If this is your first time using your file server folder, you are prompted to change your password. Stop! If you proceed to change your password, you will be unable to access any Simmons public access computers. Go to any Library Information Commons computer, login, and follow the prompts to change your password (use eight characters or fewer). Then you may go back to your own computer and follow these instructions.
A window labeled MCBFS1 opens. Inside this window is a list of file server folders that you can connect to. Select one and then click OK . The folders that you are likely to connect to are:
StudentData
This folder can be used for transferring files to someone else or for temporary storage. Please note that files older than 2 weeks are deleted daily, and files in this folder are not backed up. Also be aware that this is not a secure location, and files can be viewed and deleted by anyone who accesses the folder. Please backup your work and do not save confidential information that you don't want others to read.
Student
This folder gives you access to your personal file server folder. This is not a temporary folder like StudentData: a ny documents you save there will stay until you delete them, or until you are no longer enrolled at or employed by Simmons. Only you have access to your file server folder*; you may safely store your personal files there. The Technology department backs up the file server regularly, so your data will be safe and secure.
*Some Technology staff have access rights to your user folder; their access is governed by the Simmons Acceptable Use Policy and the Technology at Simmons College Confidentiality Agreement.
Step 3) When you click OK , the MCBFS1 window disappears, and an icon appears on your desktop, with the same name as the folder you chose to mount. Double-click on this icon to open the file server folder. Some of these folders contain a large number of items, and take a long time to open.
If you are opening the Student folder, scroll down in the window to find the folder named the same as your username. Double-click on this folder to gain access to your personal file server folder.
Step 4) When you are finished using your personal file server folder, you may close your connection to the file server. To disconnect the Student folder, select the Student icon, control-click, choose Eject "Student." Disconnect/eject other file server folders, and removable media (e.g. flash storage devices) using the same technique. Restarting your computer will also disconnect you from the file server.
Note: Occasionally Technology needs to perform maintenance on Simmons network. Please check your Simmons email or ask Information Commons Technology staff for information about when and how this may affect access to your folder.