R: drive

What is the R: drive?

The R: drive functions as a central file space, providing shared content for faculty and staff.

How to request an R: drive folder

Science staff can submit a request for an R: drive folder to the Science Computing Jira Ticket Portal.  Access to each folder is controlled by a security group, so if you need others to access your folder, please indicate as such in the ticket.  You will only see folders which you have access to.

How to map the R: drive

Nexus computers

The R: drive will be mapped automatically if you have access to any of the folders on the drive.  You will need to make sure you are connected to the campus network with a wired connection or wireless connection, or through the Campus VPN.

If you have a macOS device or a non-Nexus computer, please follow the instructions below to map your R: drive folder:

Windows

  1. Open “File Explorer" and select "This PC".
  2. Click the three dots button in the toolbar on the top and select "Map network drive" from the drop-down menu.
  3. From the list of available options, select "Map network drive...".
  4. Select the "R:" drive letter from the drop-down menu (R: drive is recommended for simplicity, however any letter will work).
  5. In the "Folder" field, enter \\filel.private.uwaterloo.ca\science$
  6. Check the box next to "Reconnect at sign-in" to make sure the R: drive will be mapped every time the computer is rebooted.
    1. If the box is checked for "Connect using different credentials", credentials other than the default ones can be used. If you are not using a Nexus machine, please check this box as it will not work otherwise.
  7. Once prompted, please enter your network credentials.
    1. Username: WatIAMuserid@uwaterloo.ca
    2. Password: WatIAM password
  8. Select "Remember my credentials" if you don't want to enter your network credentials every time you access the folder after a reboot.
  9. Click "OK".

Mac

  1. Open “Finder”.
  2. On the toolbar, select “Go” from the drop down menu.
  3. Select “Connect to server...”.
  4. On the “Server Address:” field, enter smb://filel.private.uwaterloo.ca/science$
  5. Click “Connect”.
  6. Beside “Connect As:”, select “Registered User”.
  7. Once prompted, please enter your network credentials:
    1. Username: WatIAMuserid@uwaterloo.ca
    2. Password: WatIAM password
  8. Select, “Remember this password in my keychain” if you don’t want to enter your network credentials every time you access the folder after a reboot.
  9. Click “Connect”.

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