How do I map to a network drive on a Mac?

Computers have a built in way of connecting to remote servers, allowing you to access and work with your files on that server. You'll use this connection and type in the address, or path, of the server you're trying to connect to (much like having an actual address, 123 Main Street, the computer needs to know where to go). When connecting to a network drive on a Mac, you'll start all your paths with smb, which tells your Mac that it will be connecting to a remote server and is the protocol that allows your computer to access files over a network.

You should have the path of your server. It will look something like this: smb://titan.tccs.tufts.edu/xxxxxxxx

  • The path to your Q: or R: (research) drive will end with the name of your departmental share.
  • There should be no spaces in the path name and drive paths are case sensitive.
  • Q: or R: drive syntax = smb://server/departmental-sever/your_department

Example Q Drive paths:

  • smb://titan.tccs.tufts.edu/ase-bsot$
  • smb://titan.tccs.tufts.edu/UIT$/Admin

If you are unsure of what either path should be, contact the TTS Service Desk at it@tufts.edu or call (617) 627-3376.

Note: The use of smb://titan/xxxx will work when physically located on the Tufts network, but you must use the fully qualified domain name of smb://titan.tccs.tufts.edu/xxxxxxxx when connecting from a remote location with Tufts VPN remote connection software. Therefore, the best practice is to always use smb://titan.tccs.tufts.edu when mapping your Tufts network drives on a Mac computer, even if you are on the Tufts network.

  1. Click on your desktop.
  2. At the top of the desktop window, from the Finder, select Go > Connect to Server or press Command + K.
  3. The Connect to Server dialog box will open.
    1. If you have previously connected to a server, the address of the last server you connected to will still be in the address box. If you are connecting to the same server, you can click Connect.
    2. If you are connecting a server you have previously connected to, you can choose that server address in the Favorite Servers list or by clicking the dropdown arrow next to the server address window. Then, click Connect.
    3. Otherwise, in the Server Address: field, type the path to your Personal (P:) or Departmental (Q: or R:) network share. When you've finished entering the path, click the plus (+) button to add the server address to your list of favorites. Then, click Connect.
  4. The Authentication window will open.
  5. Enter your Tufts Username (e.g. jsmith01)
  6. Enter your Tufts Password.
  7. Do not check, Remember this password in my keychain.
  8. Click Connect.
  9. Your Mac will search for and connect to the selected path location. When it connects and authenticates your Tufts Username and Tufts Password, the network folder will open.