File Storage and Printing
ITSS supports a number of services for network file storage and printing, including Novell, Samba, and Unix (central systems). Additionally, the University has recently rolled out NetFiles, a file storage application with collaboration and sharing features. Following is information on these services, including details on what you need to use them.
File storage options
All University faculty, staff and students can store files in their personal central system area, in a Samba directory (Windows users only), or in their NetFiles account. Optionally, faculty/staff with Novell access can store their files on the office server as well as share files with other Novell users. Files stored on ITSS servers are backed up nightly and can be restored on request; files stored in your NetFiles account (an enterprise service based on the Twin Cities campus) are backed up for disaster recovery purposes only (no individual file restores are available).
Private data: All faculty and staff are strongly encouraged to store private data on the ITSS central system servers (Novell, Samba, Unix) rather than on their desktop or laptop computers. These servers provide secure access, nightly backups, and file restore capabilities.
ITSS does not recommend using NetFiles storage for private data (e.g., student grades, class lists, etc.) due to the inherent file-sharing capabilities and the lack of file restore services.
The following table summarizes the options available for network file storage.
| Network file service | Features | What you need | How to get it | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Share data? | Data backup? | Recommended for private data? | Students | Faculty/staff | ||
| Novell office server (H: drive)
Personal and departmental file storage and sharing See: Novell Services: File storage and sharing |
Yes. Shared access folders can be set up by ITSS staff for any UMD faculty/staff. | Yes. Nightly backups; file restore service available. | Yes | Novell full service account Novell client software |
Not available | Complete the Add/Update Novell Office Server Account form. |
| Samba
MyFiles - Personal file storage MyWeb - Personal web page storage See: Samba: Windows File and Print Services |
Yes. Shared access folders can be set up by ITSS staff for those with a University Internet ID. | Yes. Nightly backups; file restore service available. | Yes | Internet/email account | Internet/email account is automatically created when you register. | Complete the Application for Computing form. |
| Unix central systems (ub, bulldog)
Personal file storage (home dir) See: Managing your file storage |
No | Yes. Nightly backups; file restore service available. | Yes | Internet/email account | Internet/email account is automatically created when you register | Complete the Application for Computing form. |
| NetFiles Web-based network file storage and sharing See: NetFiles |
Yes. Shared access folders can be set up by the owner for students, faculty, staff and those outside the University. | No. System backups are for disaster recovery only. Two features (Trash and Versions) provide some ability to recover deleted files. | No - not recommended for private data (e.g., student grades, class lists, etc.). | Internet/email account
NetFiles account |
Internet/email account is automatically created when you register
Request a NetFiles account here: Activate your NetFiles Account |
Complete the Application for Computing form.
Request a NetFiles account here: Activate your NetFiles Account |
Printing options
ITSS supports Novell, Samba, and Unix print services. Students can print to the networked printers in the student computing labs from either the lab workstations (thru the Uniprint client) or from their personal computers (through the iPrint client). Faculty and staff can print to departmental printers from Unix, Macintosh and Windows applications.
| Network printing | What you need | How to get it | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Students | Faculty/staff | ||
| Novell
See: Novell Services at UMD: Printing |
Novell account (full service or print only)
Novell client software |
Not available | Complete the Add/Update Novell Office Server Account form. |
| Samba
See: Samba: Printing for Windows |
Internet/email account | Internet/email account is automatically created when you register. | Complete the Application for Computing form. |
| Unix | Internet/email account | Internet/email account is automatically created when you register. | Complete the Application for Computing form. |
| Uniprint (student computer labs)
See: Printing in the labs |
UCard (with value added)
iPrint client (installed on all lab computers) |
Detailed instructions are here: Configuring Your Computer to Print to the Lab Printers. | Not available |