Netstorage Access

Novell NetStorage enables you to access files you store on the central file server cluster maintained by LAN Support Services, from any location, anytime, via a web browser without having any special software on your computer. With NetStorage, you can access your files:

• in meeting rooms, media classrooms, and co-workers offices
• at conferences, trade shows, or other campuses
• at home, libraries, or other public Internet access locations

Using NetStorage

Connecting:

1. Open your web browser and go to http://virtualoffice.lss.ku.edu.
   Note: If you have problems connecting to this site, NetStorage can be accessed from the alternate URL https://virtualoffice.lss.ku.edu/NetStorage.
   
   
2. Click "Open NetStorage".

   You will likely see a security alert indicating that the site has a security certificate that was issued by an unknown certifying authority. This is a known issue that Information Services is working to remedy. Despite this alert, access to your data through NetStorage is encrypted and secure. Click the appropriate button to proceed.

3. Enter your Novell username and password. This is the username and password you use to log on to your computer and file server from your campus office.
4. Click OK

Once you have successfully logged in, you will see the main NetStorage display, consisting of a list of folders on the left that correspond to the drives/volumes that you access when you log in from your office workstation. The contents of the selected folder are listed on the right. Clicking a folder in the list on the left or double-clicking a folder on the right selects it and displays its contents.

Using Netstorage to Save Files to the File Server:

1. After saving a copy of the document to a location on the local workstation, such as "My Documents", connect to NetStorage as described above.

2. Select the drive folder in which you want to store the file. This will generally be your "My U Drive@UKANS". This is netstorage's term for the "U:" drive on your office computer.
3. Choose "Upload" from the "File" menu on the NetStorage page.

   

4. The browser page will refresh. Make sure the proper network drive is selected in the left frame (and subfolder if necessary) and you will see your saved file. Once the file has been successfully stored on the file server, you may delete the temporary local copy espescially if you are using a public use workstation.

Opening Files Stored on the File Server:

1. Connect to NetStorage as described above.
2. Select the drive folder in which the file resides.
3. Double-click the file.

Your web browser will download the file to your local computer, where you can open it normally. Note: Depending on its configuration, Microsoft® Internet Explorer for Microsoft® Windows® may open the file itself instead of downloading it to your disk. In this case, you can either work with the file in the Internet Explorer window, or choose "Save/Save As" from the "File" menu to save a copy of the file. You can then locate and open the saved file to work with it in its native application. Another way to open files from Netstorage is to follow these alternative instructions:

1. Highlight the file in the main browser window. Do not double-click, simply highlight it with a single mouse click.
2. Choose Dowload for Editing (or Dowload for Viewing) from the File menu on the NetStorage page.
3. Choose a location on your hard drive for where you want to save the file (My Documents, for example)
4. Select Save or OK

This will also open a box titled "Waiting for file". You have the option of closing this window, but if you leave it open (and minimized) this will uploade the file back to its original location on the central file server cluster.

Logging Out:

When finished, please be sure to click the Logout button.

Then close your web browser. Note: If using this tool in a public environment (public lab, conference, coffee shop, library) please make sure that you always log out and exit all web browser windows. This will insure that no one can access your files after you leave the computer.

NOTE:

If you are encountering difficulties with Netstorage after logging-in, please be sure to clear your Internet Explorer cache. In IE, choose tools>Internet Options, delete temporary internet files and cookies.