How do I map my M: drive using ExpanDrive for Windows?

Although technically not required, it is recommended that you install and run the University's VPN client.

Downloading ExpanDrive

If you do not already have ExpanDrive installed in your machine, you will want to download and install the program. To do so, point your browser to https://www.eos.ncsu.edu/software/downloads/. If you already have the program installed, you can skip to the next section.

Fig. 1

Scroll halfway down the page, and under Applications You Can Download, click on ExpanDrive - Windows (Fig. 1).

Fig. 2

When the download page appears, select Yes, I have read and accept the terms of the agreement shown above. Then, click on ExpanDrive Win to download the program (Fig. 2).

Fig. 3

If you haven't already done so, you will be prompted to enter your Unity ID and password (Fig. 3). When you have entered both, click Login.

Fig. 4

A dialog box will appear (Fig. 4), prompting you to save the .exe file. Click on Save File.

Fig. 5

The .exe file will then begin downloading. You can view its progress in your browser's "Downloads" window (Fig. 5).

Fig. 6

When the download is complete, right-click on the file in the "Downloads" window (Fig. 6), and select Open Containing Folder.

Fig. 7

The installer's icon will then appear in its own explorer window (Fig. 7). Double-click on the file to begin the installation process.

Installing ExpanDrive

Fig. 8

To install ExpanDrive, after you have double-clicked on the downloaded installation file, the setup program will begin. Click on the Next button to continue (Fig. 8).

Fig. 9

Click on the radio button beside Install for anyone using this computer (Fig. 9).

Fig. 10

Click the Install button to begin the installation of the program (Fig 10).

Fig. 11

The program will then begin installing (Fig. 11).

Fig. 12

Once the installation is complete, the program's shortcut will appear in a new window. After the program has successfully installed, you can then configure it to map your M: drive. Click on ExpanDrive to open the program.

Mapping the M: Drive

After opening the program for the first time, you will be immediately prompted to enter in the proper settings and login information for a new drive (Fig. 13).

Fig. 13

Under Drive Type, the drop-down menu should be set to SFTP by default. If for some reason is not, click on the menu and select that option. In the Server field, type ftp.chass.ncsu.edu, entering in your Unity ID and Password.

Then, click on More Options.

Fig. 14

The window will then expand to show more options (Fig. 14). The drop-down menu next to Authentication should say Password by default. For the Port number, type in 22. You can enter anything you like under Nickname, but for our purposes, we will simply call the drive M: Drive.

Under Remote path, you will type /departments/ and affix your department's directory after the last forward slash (/). The table below (Fig. 15) details the directories for each department.

Directories for CHASS Departments

Fig. 15

When entering in your department's directory in the remote path, you should do so after the final forward slash (/) after "/departments/." For example, if you are in the English department, the full remote path will be:

/departments/english

Finally, the Drive Letter should be set to M:, using the drop-down menu (see Fig. 14 above). If you are using a laptop, it is best to leave the Reconnect at login option unchecked.

When you have finished entering in all the necessary information, click Save.

Fig. 16

The program will then establish a connection to the server. To sever the connection after it has been established, simply click on the Eject button to the right (Fig. 16).

Fig. 17

Once the connection has been successfully established, an explorer window will appear, showing the contents of the M: drive (Fig. 17).

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