File Storage - Central and Research File Storage (KUCFS and ResFS)

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The most up-to-date information about Research File Storage (ResFS) is available via https://technology.ku.edu/services/research-file-storage. Stored data is accessible within the KU network or remotely via the KU Anywhere virtual private network (VPN). Please see the related article for setting up VPN connection to access data while working remotely.

A Note on File Paths

The instructions and screen shots in this article show connections to CFS (kucfs.ku.edu), but there are other types of storage, including ResFS (resfs.home.ku.edu) and EFS (kuefs.ku.edu). Your file path may be different as a result, depending on the drive type. If you're unsure of the network drive path, you'll need to reach out to your department support staff.

Access ResFS & CFS File Storage

Linux

Instructions only apply to Ubuntu and Redhat Enterprise Linux:

Install cifs-utils and key-utils (if not already installed)
Edit and add the following lines to /etc/request-key.conf (if not already there)
- create cifs.spnego * * /usr/sbin/cifs.upcall -c %k
- create dns_resolver * * /usr/sbin/cifs.upcall %k
Create entry into /etc/fstab similar to:
- resfs.home.ku.edu:/GROUPS/COBRA /mnt/resfs cifs noauto,user=KUOnlineID,workgroup=home 0 0
- Note: You also may need to add the following line to the file /etc/hosts, to allow cifs mounts to RFS:
- 129.237.183.170 resfs.home.ku.edu resfs kurfs.home.ku.edu
If you get the following error: This program is not installed setuid root - user CIFS mounts not supported., modify the commands with the following:
- chmod u+s /sbin/mount.cifs /bin/umount
Mount share as your local username = AD username
- mount -t cifs -o username=KUOnlineID //resfs.home.ku.edu/GROUPS/COBRA /mnt/resfs

Note: COBRA is the default share name but will change depending on what share name was assigned to the user. /mnt/resfs is where the share is mounted (in this specific example) and can be changed to other locations in the filesystem as requested by the user.

Mac

Open Finder.
Open the Go menu and select Connect to Server….
- You can also press Cmd (⌘) + K on your keyboard.
Enter smb:// followed by the network file path in the Server in the Server Address field. Different departments and drives will have specific file paths, which you may need to get from your support staff.
- Click the + sign to store the drive as a favorite for easy access
- Click Connect.
Click Connect.
Take the following actions:
- Click Registered User.
- Username onlineid@home.ku.edu.
- Enter your KU password
- Click Connect.

It will take a moment for the drive to connect; once connected, the drive will open in a new Finder window. The drive will also be listed on the Finder sidebar under Locations.

Windows

Windows 10

Open File Explorer.
The explorer icon looks like a manila folder and is typically pinned to the task bar.
- If you don't see it, Open the Start menu and type File Explorer.
Select the This PC option on the sidebar if File Explorer does not open there by default.
Select the Computer tab.
Choose Map Network Drive.
Select a drive letter to represent the CFS; the drive letter only represents the shared network location on the specific device, and there isn't a wrong choice.
Enter the folder location. Different departments and drives will have different file paths. Screen shots in the article use the file path \\\\kucfs.ku.edu\\IT_General.
Change the following options as needed.
- Reconnect at sign-in is checked by default, and maps the drive each time you log in to your computer. If you do not want this drive to be mapped the next time you log on, deselect this box.
- Select Connect using different credentials if you are using a personal computer or a computer managed by another entity. You do not need to select this option if you are connecting to a network drive from your KU workstation that uses the same credentials as your user account.
Click Finish.
Enter your user name in the format of onlineID@home.ku.edu and your KU password if prompted.
- If your computer fills a user name automatically and its not in the format as described above. Click More Choices and select Use a Different Account.
- If you don't want to enter your password every time you access the shared drive, select Remember my credentials.
Click OK.

Once the drive is mapped, File Explorer will open a new window showing the contents of your shared drive. You can access the drive at any time by opening File Explorer and going to This PC. All mapped drives will show up under Network Locations.

Reminder that network drives are only accessible via KU Anywhere, or while connected to Jayhawk Wireless network on campus.

Windows 11

Open File Explorer.
The explorer icon looks like a manila folder and is typically pinned to the task bar.
- If you don't see it, open the Start Menu and type File Explorer.
Select the This PC option on the sidebar if File Explorer does not open there by default.
Click the three dots at the top right, and select Map network drive.
Select a drive letter to represent the CFS; the drive letter only represents the shared network location on the specific device, and there isn't a wrong choice.
Enter the file location. Different departments and drives have different file paths. Screenshots in the article use the file path \\\\kucfs.ku.edu\\IT_General.
Change the following options as needed.
- Reconnect at sign-in is checked by default, and maps the drive each time you log in to your computer. If you do not want this drive to be mapped the next time you log on, deselect this box.
- Select Connect using different credentials if you are using a personal computer or a computer managed by another entity. You do not need to select this option if you are connecting to a network drive from your KU workstation that uses the same credentials as your user account.
Click Finish.
Enter your user name in the format of onlineID@home.ku.edu and your KU password if prompted.
- If your computer fills a user name automatically and its not in the format as described above. Click More Choices and select Use a Different Account.
- If you don't want to enter your password every time you access the shared drive, select Remember my credentials.
- Click OK.

Once the drive is mapped, File Explorer will open a new window showing the contents of your shared drive. You can access the drive at any time by opening File Explorer and going to This PC. All mapped drives will show up under Network Locations.

Reminder that network drives are only accessible via KU Anywhere, or while connected to Jayhawk Wireless network on campus.

Troubleshooting

Active Directory Mac Timeout

Active Directory (AD) is one of the systems used by KU to authenticate accounts and confirm a user's access to certain services. KU workstations "talk back" to KU systems periodically when the computer is on the campus networks. Unfortunately, macOS is unable to complete this process. As a result, the workstation may be unable to access tools that require AD authentication. This process can also lead users to have issues accessing KU services on a Mac such as Central File Storage, Research File Storage among others.

In most cases, these issues are resolved by logging out of your Mac and logging back in. Restarting your Mac will not resolve the problem;you must specifically log out.

Save any documents you may have open.
Click the Apple icon in the upper left.
Select Log Out. You can also log out using the keyboard shortcut Shift + Command + Q; this will prompt you to confirm that you want to log out. You can skip this prompt by logging out with the keyboard shortcut Option + Shift + Cmd \xe2\x8c\x98 + Q.
Log in to your workstation with your current KU password.

Disconnecting a Shared Drive

Mac

Open Finder. This is typically pinned to the dock at the bottom of the screen, but you can also run a search for it by clicking the Search icon in the upper right corner of the window or pressing Cmd (\xe2\x8c\x98) + Space.
Locate the connected network drive on the left sidebar, under locations. If you do not see the drive listed there, it indicates that the drive is not currently mapped on your Mac.
Click the Eject icon.