Drive Mappings (User Management)

Drive Mappings

The Drive Mappings object configures network drive mappings. Drive Mappings redirect a local resource (drive letter) to a shared network resource (hard drive or folder on the network). Using mapped drives to access server-based information provides administrators with the ability to make changes faster and more transparently than using straight UNCs on each client.

For example, the Groups share is where all users store shared departmental documents and is mapped to drive G: on Server1. If Server1 begins to run low on disk space, simply stop sharing the Groups folder on Server1 and move the Groups folder structure to Server2 (where there is plenty of free disk space). Change the share to the Groups folder on Server2. Now simply change Desktop Authority’s mapping for the G drive to the Groups share on Server2. A trip to each desktop is saved because the client applications did not need to be changed — they still reference the folder structure as drive letter G:.

Settings

Action

Letter

Click the Letter arrow to select a drive letter to map. A valid drive letter may also be entered into the field. Valid drive letters are any single letter from A to Z. The drive letter entered can be uppercase or lowercase.

Path

Enter the folder location that the selected drive letter will be mapped to. The folder location should be specified in the form of a proper UNC, \\server\share. Optionally, click  Browse to navigate to the network share.

Desktop Authority’s dynamic variable selection is available for this field by pressing F2.

Mapping drive H: to all users' home directories can be done in a single entry in the Drives list. This is done by using dynamic variables. Use \\$HomeServer\$HomeDir or \\$HomeServer\$HomeDir$$ (hidden share) as the path. At logon time, the dynamic variables are substituted by the correct values based on the user logging on to the network.

When mapping to a hidden share there must be two trailing dollar signs ($$) following the share name. By clicking Browse and selecting a share, Desktop Authority will automatically place the extra trailing dollar sign. If the share is manually typed into the Path entry, the extra dollar sign must manually be entered.

To hide a local drive, leave the Path entry blank. The drive specified in the Letter entry will be hidden from Windows Explorer and My Computer. 

Delete (appends /DELETE to path)

Select this box to remove a persistent drive mapping from a workstation. This will append the text /DELETE following the path. /DELETE may also be manually typed in to the Path entry following the specific path. This will remove any persistent drive mappings to the drive letter specified in the Letter entry.

The /DELETE option does not need to be used prior to mapping a drive. Desktop Authority will automatically remove the persistent drive mapping on the workstation if it is in conflict with the driver letter to be mapped.

Persistent (appends /PERSISTENT to path)

Select this box to make a drive mapping persistent. This will append the text /PERSISTENT in the Path entry. /PERSISTENT  may also be manually typed in to the Path entry following the specific path. The drive will later be mapped each time the user logs onto the network, even if Desktop Authority is not running.

Hide from Windows Explorer

Select this box to hide the mapped drive letter. Hiding a drive hides it from Windows Explorer and My Computer. Although the drive is hidden, it is still available for applications to use.

Hiding a drive from Windows Explorer is often beneficial in protecting your programs and data from accidental deletion or misuse. A good example would include a standard database application. Users need NTFS Full Control of the folder and files to effectively use the database, but don't need to actually see the folder when using Windows Explorer. In this example, there would most likely be a hidden the share also. Adding a trailing dollar sign ($) to the share name when sharing the folder would prevent this share from being visible.

Explorer label (Windows 2000 and newer)

Use this label to change the default drive label (name) as shown in Explorer. This label is only available on Microsoft 2000 operating systems and newer. Desktop Authority’s dynamic variable selection is available for this field by pressing F2.

If this drive fails to map

Select Continue, Alert and Continue, or Alert and Logoff from the list. The selected action will occur if there is a problem when attempting to map to the specified drive. The Alert and Continue action will issue the Error mapping drive alert. The Alert and Logoff action will issue the Error mapping mandatory drive alert.

Validation Logic

Select the Validation Logic tab to set the validation rules for this element.

Notes

Select the Notes tab to create any additional notes needed to document the profile element.

Description

When adding or modifying a profile object element, the description appears above the settings tab. Enter a description to annotate the element. The default value for new profile elements can be changed by going to the system Preferences.