IMPORTANT
For all devices not on campus, or connected via WiFi, will be required to connect to the VPN: https://vpn.camosun.bc.ca/ before attempting to connect to the share.
Only Domain-Joined devices physically connected via Ethernet do not need to connect to the VPN.
If you disconnect from the network (such as by switching Wi-Fi networks or going offline), the mapped drive will disconnect. You need to be on the same network (or use VPN if remote) to reconnect.
Network drives mapped this way do not appear with a drive letter as on Windows, but are accessible via Finder.
Mapping a network drive on a Mac lets you access shared folders or servers directly from Finder, similar to the mapped drive experience on Windows.
One-Time Connection
Open Finder.
- Click the Go menu at the top of the screen and select Connect to Server, or press Command + K.
- To connect to specific group share (eg. GroupShare → \\intra.camosun.bc.ca\groups\GroupShare )
use the following path:
smb://naslan.intra.camosun.bc.ca/GroupShare
- Click Connect.
- Enter your username and password if prompted, then click OK.
- The network drive will now appear in Finder, either on your desktop or in the Finder sidebar under Locations.
If you are connecting from a non-domain-joined device, you will need to provide credentials:
If the path is correct and your user account has at least read-only share access, then you may be prompted with something similar to this:
If you don't have the correct permissions or you've specified and incorrect path you may see something like this:
When you are finished working in the network share, please use the "Eject" icon in Finder to disconnect the mapped network location.
Making the Drive Easy to Access
To quickly access the drive in the future, drag it from the Finder window into the Finder sidebar or create an alias on your desktop.
You can also add the server to your Favorite Servers list by clicking the plus (+) sign in the Connect to Server window.
Automatically Connect at Login
To have your Mac automatically connect to the network drive every time you log in:
- Connect to the network drive using the steps above.
- Open the Apple menu and go to System Settings > General > Login Items.
- Click the + button under the Open at Login list.
- Select the mounted network drive or a folder/volume on it, then click Open.
- The drive will now attempt to connect automatically each time you log in.
Summary Table
| Task |
Steps |
| One-time connection |
Finder > Go > Connect to Server > Enter path > Connect |
| Add to sidebar or desktop |
Drag network drive to Finder sidebar or create alias on desktop |
| Auto-connect at login |
System Settings > General > Login Items > Add network drive |
Answer from Perplexity: pplx.ai/share