An introduction to DeptStore, central storage space for all UST deparments...

Deptstore @ UST

At the University of St. Thomas, a central storage directory is available for each department on campus. This resource, called Deptstore, is located on the UST network. Deptstore is backed up nightly (unlike your desktop), and accessible from anywhere on campus, making it possible for you to easily download and upload files to Deptstore.

Storing Documents

Deptstore makes it possible for you to store your files on a central server that is accessible across campus. When you use Deptstore you have the added assurance that your files are backed up on a regular basis. Unlike your desktop which could fail causing considerable time and frustration in lost data. Deptstore is available 24/7.

Share your files with your department

Deptstore folders are a great resource available to every department at UST. One of the best ways to use Deptstore is through file sharing. How many times have you been sent attachments for review? After the attachments have been edited by multiple people it is often hard to determine which copy is the “final” version; instead of one copy you end up with multiple copies each slightly different from the other. Or maybe you need to access a file and the only copy is on your vacationing co-worker’s hard drive. One of the benefits of Deptstore is that you can create one file that everyone in your department can access at any time (although not everyone can access the file at the same time).

Folder Permissions

Do you work with confidential information that should be accessed only by a limited number of people? Folder permissions on Deptstore can accommodate this need. All of the folders in Deptstore can be assigned varying degrees of permissions based on business need in your department. Access levels can be set from read only to modify. Your department can determine who needs what level of access to your departmental folders.

Accessing DeptStore1 & DeptStore2 from personally owned computers

You can access your Deptstore folder remotely from any location on a PC or Mac by a web browser.  Before you try though, you will need to know the exact name of the folder you wish to access, and whether it resides on Deptstore1 or Deptstore2. 

Specifically, you will need to know if there is a space in the name of the folder.  If there is no space in the folder name, (i.e. <\\ust-deptstore1\deptsa-e\foldername>), the web address will be either
[   https://ust-deptstore1web.stthomas.edu/foldername   ]  or
[   https://ust-deptstore2web.stthomas.edu/foldername   ].

If there is a space in the folder name (i.e. <ust-deptstore2\departments\folder name>), you will need to substitute the characters "%20"  for the space in the web address.  Consequently the web address for a Deptstore folder with a space will be either
[   https://ust-deptstore1web.stthomas.edu/folder%20name   ] or
[   https://ust-deptstore2web.stthomas.edu/folder%20name   ].

Windows XP:

1. Double click on the "My Network Places" icon,
2. Choose "add a network place" from the menu list on the left side of the window,
3. Click "Next",
4. Select the "Choose another network location" option,
5. Click "Next",
6. Enter the web address of the folder you wish to map in the "internet or network address:" field,
   
   Note: Don't forget the "s" after http in the web address, or you won't be able to connect
   
7. Click "Next",
8. Enter a name for the network place,
   
   Note: You may choose the name of the connection, but it is recommended to leave the default naming convention as is.
   
9. Click "Next",
10. Click "Finish".
    
    You will be prompted to enter your UST NetID and password when trying to access documents in this network location.

Windows Vista/Windows 7:

1. Click the "Start" button, select "Computer",
2. Right click anywhere in the open window and choose "add a network location",
3. Click "Next",
4. Select the "Choose another network location" option,
5. Click "Next",
6. Enter the web address of the folder you wish to map in the "internet or network address:" field,
   
   Note: Don't forget the "s" after http in the web address, or you won't be able to connect
   
7. Click "Next",
8. Enter a name for the network place,
   
   Note: You may choose the name of the connection, but it is recommended to leave the default naming convention as is, or choose the name of the folder as it appears in DeptStore.
   
9. Click "Next",
10. Click "Finish".
    
    You will be prompted to enter your UST NetID and password when trying to access documents in this network location.
    
    NOTE:  Despite Microsoft's documentation to the contrary, this process does not always work with installations of the 64 bit version of Vista (and presumably Windows 7).  You may still connect to your DeptStore drive via any web browser, by simply entering  its web address.  Once connected, you will be able to access and copy files to a local computer from your DeptStore directory, but you will not be able to upload, drag and drop files, or make changes to the directory itself.
    

Mac 10.4 or higher users

1. Click on the "Go" on the top menu
2. Choose "Connect to Server"
3. Enter the web address of your folder
   Note: Don't forget the s after http, or you won't be able to connect
4. Click the "+" sign on the right to add the address to your Favorite Server list.
5. Click "Connect"
6. Enter your UST NetID for the username, your NetID password for the password, and UST for the domain
7. A shortcut to the folder will show up on your desktop, or along the left side of an open window. 
   
   You will be prompted to enter your UST NetID and password when trying to access documents in this network location.
   
   If you restart your computer and need to reconnect, click on the "Go" menu and click on "Connect to Server" again. The web address that you previously entered should be present in the list of your favorite places.

For more information

If you have any questions about Deptstore or any of the technology provided on campus, please contact the IRT Tech Desk.