How To Access Samba Home File Store

Samba Home File Store Access

The Samba home file store is the storage space that you would save files to when using a iSolutions public workstation computer. Generally this is the file store that Students are most familiar with as they are the main user of public workstation on campus. Staff and post graduate researchers on the other hand are more likely to have a university owned/built computer in an office which is configured to use a different file store space (See 'What's Related' link on How To Access Staff Windows Home File Store).

To connect to your Samba home file store you need to make a connection to the SOTON DOMAIN (the university network). This can be done in a number of ways and from various locations/networks, for example:

  • From off campus by making a Virtual Private Network (VPN) connection to the network (See related links or read below for more information on VPN) e.g. Home or other internet connections providing the location allows outgoing VPN connections.
  • From any the Halls of Residence network connection.
  • From any computer plugged into and logged into a iSolutions Self-Service Ethernet network point (See related links).
  • From any computer connected and logged into to the iSolutions Self-Service Wireless network with the VPN login method (See related links).
  • Or by using a SecureFTP or SSH client program (See below for more information on this alternative).

Note that there are different addresses and connection requirements and methods depending on how or where you are connecting from, and also which operating system your computer is using. Please refer to the relevant sections below depending on your specific circumstances.

 

Connecting to Samba (From Windows XP / Vista)


If you are connecting from OFF CAMPUS:

 

  1. Setup a VPN connection, using the setup guides provided on the VPN page (See 'What's Related' link to the VPN Service (Virtual Private Network Connection) web page).
  2. Connect to the VPN Service and enter your university username and password, and depending on your version of Windows, if there is an option to specify the 'Domain' then enter the word: SOTON
    - Vista Users: Specifying the SOTON Domain is especially important here.
  3. Then to connect to your Samba home file store folder enter the following address into either the 'Start' -> 'Run..' window (Windows XP), or in Vista open the 'Start' menu and type the address into the "Start Search" box (Alternatively you could type the address into any folder address bar or even create a shortcut icon or 'Map Network Drive' link (See section lower down for details on how to do this):

    \\samba.soton.ac.uk\username\
    (replace 'username' with your own university computing account username)
  4. After a few seconds a login prompt window may appear, if so enter your username as below along with your password:

    SOTON\username (e.g. SOTON\ntb908 )
    (Again replace "username" with your own university username)
  5. If login is successful then after a few seconds a folder window should open containing the "mydocuments" folder and "mydesktop" folder that you will be familiar with on any iSolutions public workstation.

 

If you are connecting from a Halls of Residence network connection:

 

  1. Note, from the Halls of Residence network VPN is not required, instead a different address is available.
    Type the following address into either the 'Start' -> 'Run..' window (Windows XP), or in Vista open the 'Start' menu and type the address into the "Start Search" box (Alternatively you could type the address into any folder address bar or even create a shortcut icon or 'Map Network Drive' link (See section lower down for details on how to do this):

    \\samba.halls.soton.ac.uk\username\
    (replace 'username' with your own university computing account username)
    - NOTE the addition of "halls." in the address from halls, allows access without the need for VPN.
  2. After a few seconds a login prompt window may appear, if so enter your username as below along with your password:

    SOTON\username (e.g. SOTON\ntb908 )
    (Again replace "username" with your own university username)
  3. If login is successful then after a few seconds a folder window should open containing the "mydocuments" folder and "mydesktop" folder that you will be familiar with on any iSolutions public workstation.

 

If you are connecting from iSolutions Self-Service Ethernet:

 

  1. Plug your computer into a Self-Service Ethernet network socket (See 'What's Related' links for information on this service and a list of point locations).
  2. Login using the web page login page (See service setup guides if needed), note the Self-Service Ethernet option does not need VPN as you are on campus already.
  3. Then to connect to your Samba home file store folder enter the following address into either the 'Start' -> 'Run..' window (Windows XP), or in Vista open the 'Start' menu and type the address into the "Start Search" box (Alternatively you could type the address into any folder address bar or even create a shortcut icon or 'Map Network Drive' link (See section lower down for details on how to do this):

    \\samba.soton.ac.uk\username\
    (replace 'username' with your own university computing account username)
  4. After a few seconds a login prompt window may appear, if so enter your username as below along with your password:

    SOTON\username (e.g. SOTON\ntb908 )
    (Again replace "username" with your own university username)
  5. If login is successful then after a few seconds a folder window should open containing the "mydocuments" folder and "mydesktop" folder that you will be familiar with on any iSolutions public workstation.

 

If you are connecting from iSolutions Self-Service Wireless:

 

  1. Connect to the iSolutions Self-Service Wireless network (See Related links for this services web page and a list of point locations).
  2. Login using the Wireless VPN login method (See Wireless VPN login method setup guide, because the wireless VPN server address is different to the standard VPN service address). The VPN login method is required on Self-Service wireless to enable sufficient network access permissions (The web login method does not).
  3. Then to connect to your Samba home file store folder enter the following address into either the 'Start' -> 'Run..' window (Windows XP), or in Vista open the 'Start' menu and type the address into the "Start Search" box (Alternatively you could type the address into any folder address bar or even create a shortcut icon or 'Map Network Drive' link (See section lower down for details on how to do this):

    \\samba.soton.ac.uk\username\
    (replace 'username' with your own university computing account username)
  4. After a few seconds a login prompt window may appear, if so enter your username as below along with your password:

    SOTON\username (e.g. SOTON\ntb908 )
    (Again replace "username" with your own university username)
  5. If login is successful then after a few seconds a folder window should open containing the "mydocuments" folder and "mydesktop" folder that you will be familiar with on any iSolutions public workstation.

 

Note: If you are using a UDE university/iSolutions built computer and are logged into it from start-up with the SAME university username and password then you may not be prompted for your username and password when opening the folder above.

To create a shortcut on the desktop for repeated future use, just minimise all windows and click the right mouse button on the desktop, from the menu then highlight "New ->" and select "Shortcut", then enter the relevant folder address as above and follow the easy instructions in the wizard. Remember in most cases you will need VPN connected first before using the shortcut each time, depending on where you are connecting from. Mapping the network drive address is not recommended as it will be forgotten after a reboot, unless the "Reconnect at logon" is selected but then it will try this every time you login and will fail unless you are in Halls of residence or already connected to VPN / SOTON domain.

 

Connecting to Samba (From Macintosh 10.4 or 10.5)


If you are connecting from OFF CAMPUS:

 

  1. Setup a VPN connection to university VPN service, using the Mac setup guides provided on the VPN web page (See 'What's Related' link to the VPN Service (Virtual Private Network Connection) web page).
  2. Connect to the VPN Service and enter your university username and password.
  3. Minimise all windows and click on an empty area of the Desktop to ensure the top menu bar lists "Go" as one of its menu's.

    Click on "Go" and from the drop down list select "Connect to Server...". Alternatively press 'Apple Key + K'.
  4. Enter the Server Address as follows:

    smb://samba.soton.ac.uk/username/
    (replace 'username' with your own university computing account username)

    Click the + buttom to save as a favourite if you wish,
    Then click Connect.
  5. A "Connecting to Server" window will appear and after a few seconds you may be presented with a login prompt window (Depending on your Mac operating system version).
    • If asked to enter your username and password select "Connect as: Registered User" and enter your university username and password.
         (If login is not successful, some operating system versions may allow the additional option to specify the "Domain" you are connecting/authenticating to, if so specifying the SOTON domain may help).
  6. If login is successful or no extra login is required then a folder window should open containing the "mydocuments" folder and "mydesktop" folder that you will be familiar with on any iSolutions public workstation.

 

If you are connecting from a Halls of Residence network connection:

 

  1. Note, from the Halls of Residence network VPN is not required, instead a different address is available.
  2. Follow the 'OFF CAMPUS' procedure above but substitute the 'Server Address' with:

    smb://samba.halls.soton.ac.uk/username/
       (replace 'username' with your own university computing account username)
  3. Follow the rest of 'OFF CAMPUS' procedure above.

 

If you are connecting from Self-Service Ethernet or Wireless:

 

  1. No need for VPN on Self-Service Ethernet, and if using Self-Service Wireless then use the Wireless VPN login method. 
  2. Again, use the server address: smb://samba.soton.ac.uk/username/ (replacing with your own username) and follow the rest of the Mac 'OFF CAMPUS' instructions as above.

 

Connecting to Samba (Using a SecureFTP or SSH client)

 

  1. Download a SecureFTP client program. Clients like WinSCP3 are freely and easily available from for download on the Internet, alternatively there is an "SSH Secure Shell" client available for download at the www.software.soton.ac.uk site (Need VPN to access this site).
  2. Install the client program and open the SFTP (Secure File Transfer) client.
  3. Depending on which program you are using the instructions for specifying the server you want to connect to can vary, but look at the menu's for things like:
    Configure a 'New' connection or session or buttons for "Quick Connect" so that you can enter the details of the server or "Host" you want to connect to.
  4. Enter the Host or Server name as:

    ftp.soton.ac.uk
  5. Then select password authentication if needed, and enter your university username and password. (Note: The standard "Port" for these types of connections is 22).
  6. If the connection or login is successful it should open a window type view of your Samba file store, containing the "mydocuments" folder and "mydesktop" folder that you will be familiar with on any iSolutions public workstation.

You can save these connection details but are advised not to save your password details.