Network File Services for Windows 7

Drives available on Windows 7

We map a number of drives for users to store their data. A summary of the drives available on a Windows 7 workstation:

Drive	Use
C:	Local boot disk for system and installed programs
D: E: F: G:	Removable media (CD/DVD drives, flash drives, etc.)
I:	All Windows user home directories, including logged-on user's home directory (will disappear January 2012)
L:	User's home directory - logged-on user has full access to files here
M:	All Windows user home directories, including logged-on user's home directory
U:	User's AFS home directory
W:	AFS root cell for Computer Sciences AFS cell (user homes are under W:\u)
P:	AFS project directories
S:	AFS software directories (mostly unix-based software)

NOTE: The L: and M: drives are housed on a Windows server and are, at the moment, only accessible from Windows workstations. AFS drives are accessible from both Windows and Unix workstations.

Users are encouraged to store all data in the L: or U: drive directories. Files left on the C: drive could delay future logins or be lost.

You may notice the following directories in your L::

• AppData
• Desktop
• My Documents
• Start Menu

These have been remapped to the L: to increase login performance. We recommend you do not remove the AppData folder as this could affect how certain applications run in your account.

Sharing Files

Sharing files in the L: drive

Files in the L: drive can be shared with other users, but such files can only be accessed from other accounts through the M: drive.

When user1 is logged in, the Windows home directory is available as L:\ and M:\user1. If user2 shares his home directory with user1, user1 will see both M:\user1 and M:\user2 in M:

To share a directory in the L:\ with another user (assuming user1 will be sharing directory L:\project1 with user2):

1. Create directory project1 using the Windows Explorer (accessible via the file folder icon in the toolbar) then navigate to Computer, then L:, then click New Folder
2. Right-click on project1, then select Properties
3. Click on the Security tab
4. Click the Edit button to modify permissions on the directory you just created
5. Click Add to add permission for user2 to able to access files in this directory
6. In the Select Users or Groups window that pops up, enter the username user2 (substitute for your partner's login name here). If the system can't find a unique match, you'll need to select user2 from the list of users it thinks you may have intended. Then click OK.
7. You should find user2@CS.WISC.EDU is added to the Groups or user names window in the permissions window for folder project1. Click on that username if it is not already selected. Note the permissions are set in the window below; they will default to the following permissions enabled:
   • Read & execute
   • List folder contents
   • Read
8. The default permissions will grant read access to project1; you will need to check the Write permission box to allow your partner to write files to this directory
9. Click OK to close the permissions window, then click OK to close the project1 Properties window
10. Now you need to allow your partner to see directories and files in your L: directory; he/she will not be able to see your files exist if you don't. If you have already done this for a previous project, you don't need to continue on.
11. Back in your Windows Explorer window, click on Computer, then right-click on L: and select Properties
12. In the user1 Properties window, click on the Security tab.
13. Click on the Advanced button.
14. An Advanced Security Settings for user1 window should pop up with the Permissions tab selected. Click the Change Permissions... button.
15. In the next window, click Add to add permission for user2
16. Enter user2 as the user to add. If the system can't find a unique match, you'll need to select user2 from the list of users it thinks you may have intended.
17. In the Permission entry window, you'll need to make the following selections:
    • Set Apply to: to This folder only
    • Check the List folder/read data, Read attributes and Read extended attributes permission boxes
    • Then click OK
18. Click OK on each pop-up window to apply the changes and close the pop-up windows

Now user2 should be able to read data in user1's L:\project1 by going through M:\user1\project1 where user2 can read and write files.

Sharing files in the U: drive

Files and directories in the U: can also be shared. Permissions are only applied on the directories here. To create and share a directory in user1_'s account with _user2:

1. Open the Windows Explorer (file folder icon in the tool tray), then go to Computer → U:
2. Create a folder using New Folder and rename it to be project2
3. Right-click on project2, then select AFS → Access Control Lists
4. Click the Add button
5. Enter the user's name, user2, and check the appropriate permission boxes:
   • r and l for read access
   • all boxes except a for read/write access
6. Verify the Entry Type is set to Normal Entry and click OK
7. The Computer Systems Lab configures your home directory such that all users can see the names of files in your home directory, so no further permissions need to be applied.

NOTE: AFS home directories of all users are accessible via the following path:

W:\u\<first_letter>\<second-letter>\username

Example: AFS home for user frida is accessible as W:\u\f\r\frida

-- JohnPerkins - 08 Sep 2011