Strathcloud - Network Shares

*Strathcloud will be retired as a data storage service on 31st August 2023.

  • If you wish to retain data currently stored on Strathcloud, you must migrate the data to an alternative storage service by 31/08/2023. Data remaining on Strathcloud after this date will be deleted automatically.
  • We recommend using Microsoft 365 storage (OneDrive, Teams, SharePoint).
  • Note: the Strathcloud service for accessing your H: and i: drives when off-campus, will be retained after 31/08/2023.
  • For more information on how to migrate, visit the M365 Training and Support page.

Introduction

You can access your Network Drives (H: and i: drive) through the University's cloud-based storage service, Strathcloud.

Once you log in to Strathcloud you can, in accordance with whatever permissions you normally have, use Strathcloud Network Shares to:

  • upload files to your H: and i: drives
  • download files from H: and i: drives
  • delete files from H: and i: drives
  • create folders from H: and i: drives
  • delete folders from H: and i: drives.

Get started

Option 1: Getting connected - using Chrome, Firefox or Safari on Windows, Mac or Linux

We recommend that you use Chrome, Firefox or Safari to access Network Shares.

  1. Log on to the Strathcloud web interface
  2. Choose 'Folders'
  3. In the expanded list, choose 'Network Shares'

You will now see links for 'H Drive' and 'i Drive'.

  1. Click on whichever link you want
  2. You will now be prompted for a username and password. For the username, enter your DS username with 'ds' in front of it (e.g. “ds\tst01987”). If you miss out the “ds\”, it will not work!
  3. Enter your DS password and login. 

Option 2: Getting connected - using Internet Explorer or Microsoft Edge on Windows

We don't recommend using Internet Explorer or Microsoft Edge for use with Network Shares.

It's easier to use a different browser, however you can access Network Shares using Internet Explorer or Edge as long as you carry out the following steps:

  1. Launch your browser and open 'Internet Options'
  2. Go to the 'Security' tab
  3. Choose 'Trusted Sites' to highlight it
  4. Choose the 'Sites' button
  5. Add 'https://strathcloud.sharefile.eu' to the list of trusted sites, then choose 'Close'
  6. With 'Trusted Sites' still highlighted, select the 'Custom Level' button
  7. Scroll down to the 'Miscellaneous' section, and in there, set 'Access data sources across domains' to 'Enabled'.
  8. OK the changes, then close and restart Internet Explorer.

You only have to follow these steps once on each computer you use to access Network Shares.

Now, follow the steps under "option 1" to connect to your H: or i: drive. 

Option 3: Getting connected - Sharefile Mobile app (iOS or Android)

  1. Install the Citrix Sharefile app on your device. The app is available from Google Play and the App Store.
  2. Follow our setup guide : Strathcloud - Set up Strathcloud on mobile device (pdf).
  3. Log into the Sharefile app using the company credentials option.
  4. Once you're set up and logged in, select the menu icon (three horizontal lines).
  5. From the list, select 'Network Shares'.
  6. You will now see links for 'H Drive' and 'i Drive'. Click whichever link you want.
  7. You will now be prompted for a username and password. For the username, enter your DS username <strong>with 'ds' in front of it</strong> (e.g. “ds\tst01987”). If you miss out the “ds\”, it will not work! 
  8. Enter your DS password and login.

What you can do once you're connected

Once you’ve connected:

  • You will see the folders and files in the root-level of your H: drive or i: drive
  • You will be able to download files and upload files, with the same permissions as you would normally have on the Network Drives.
  • You can create and delete folders.
  • You can delete files.

Using Network Shares doesn't give you all of the functionality as a network drive. For example, you cannot directly rename files, or copy files, or move them between folders. If you want to change a or move a file you must:

  1. download it
  2. edit it
  3. save it somewhere on your local device
  4. upload it again.

Network Shares also do not give you the full functionality that you would have with files stored natively in Strathcloud. For example, you can't:

  • check files in or out from your H: or i: drives
  • share them, or
  • edit the permissions on folders.

Because of this we wouldn't suggest that you use Strathcloud Network Shares as your normal way of working with your network drives. This feature is very useful for users who work between Strathcloud and Network Drives, or who work both on and off campus.

For some users, a good way of working is to store a small amount of your most active/recent data in Strathcloud, while storing older and larger data in H: and i: drives (Network Drives). The Strathcloud Network Shares feature gives you a convenient way to access files stored in both systems, both on and off campus, through a single interface.

You may also want to consider other storage options.