M Drive Access On and Off Campus

M Drive is a local network file storage location that is available to individuals to store files that fit the following parameters.

The file:

  • will be viewed/edited by just one person, the original owner of the file.
  • will be stored temporarily for quick access from a classroom computer.
  • is part of certain software applications used in academics that require the use of a mapped drive.
  • is part of a personal website in the public_html folder.

The M Drive provides 2 Gb of storage.  Additional space will not be provided.

To access the M Drive through Windows File Explorer, your SVSU-issued device must be connected to GlobalProtect, whether on or off campus. For access from other devices or networks, use the web-based tool called VDrive.

In this article:

WebDAV Settings

VDrive Web Access

Map a Network Drive on a Windows Computer

Map a Network Drive on a Mac Computer

Your URL

WebDAV Settings

To connect to your M Drive or M:\public_html\ web folder, enter these WebDav settings when:

  • Using either a personally-owned or SVSU-issued computer
  • Connected to the Internet via one of these:
    • home network
    • GlobalProtect VPN
  • Using one of these:
    • File Explorer (Win)
    • Mac Finder (Mac)
    • Dreamweaver (Win, Mac)
    • Cyberduck (Win, Mac - only via SVSU-issued computer with Global Protect)

Server Name:  SVSU
Connect using:  WebDAV
URL:  https://vdrive.svsu.edu/htcomnet/hcwebdav/0/Home Folder/public_html
Username:  SVSU username
Password:  SVSU password
Web URL:  https://mypages.svsu.edu/username/

 

Mac Finder WebDAV Instructions

  1. In the Menu bar, select “Go”
  2. “Connect to Server...”
  3. “https://vdrive.svsu.edu/htcomnet/hcwebdav/0/Home Folder”
  4. Connect As: Registered User
  5. Name: SVSU Username (do not use Email or Mac username)
  6. Password: SVSU password
  7. The drive should now be mounted and show as “Home Folder”. The mounted drive shows in the finder as vdrive.svsu.edu.  In the Home Folder you can access your VDrive content like the “public_html” folder.

    The drive should now be mounted and show as “Home Folder”. The mounted drive shows in the finder as vdrive.svsu.edu.  In the Home Folder you can access your VDrive content like the “public_html” folder.
     

VDrive Web Access

VDrive is the web interface for M Drive that allows access to the M Drive while off campus. 

Connect to Vdrive when:

  • Using either a personally-owned or SVSU-issued computer
  • Using Win or Mac
  • Connected to the internet via one of these:
    • home network
    • GlobalProtect VPN
  1. Open a web browser and visit http://www.svsu.edu.
  2. Use Quicklinks, then select Network Drives.
  3. When prompted, log in with your SVSU username and password.

The contents of your network drives will display. Use the expand and collapse buttons on the left to display folders.  Click on the folder names to display their contents. The Home drive folder is your M Drive and the other folders are Office shares that you might be a member of.
The contents of your M Drive will display. Use the expand and collapse buttons on the left to display folders. Click on the folder names to display their contents.

Uploading Files to VDrive

You must upload the files from your computer for them to be available from your M Drive.

  1. Open the folder where you want to put your file.
  2. Click Upload.
    Choose the folder on your M Drive where you want to put your file. Click Upload.
  3. Use the Browse button and follow the prompts on your computer to locate a file to upload.
  4. Click Upload.
    Click Browse and follow the prompts on your computer to locate a file to upload. Click Upload.

Your file will be uploaded to the folder in your M Drive.
Your file will be uploaded to the folder in your M Drive.

Downloading Files from VDrive

You must download files from your M Drive to your computer to edit the files. When done editing a file, you need to upload the latest version back to the M Drive or the updates will not be available on the network.
  1. Locate the file that you want to download and click to select it.
  2. Click Download.
    Locate the file that you want to download to your computer and click to select it. Click Download.
  3. The download will begin. Make the necessary changes, locally.
  4. Save changes and then upload the saved file back to the M Drive using the instructions, above.

Map a Network Drive on a Windows Computer

If you do not see your M Drive in the File Explorer, add it by mapping a network drive when:

  • Using an SVSU-issued computer
  • Using Win 11
  • Connected to the internet via GlobalProtect VPN
  1. Open the File Explorer application, then open This PC.
  2. Select the More (...) button.
  3. Click Map network drive.
    Select the More (...) button. Click Map network drive.
  4. From the Drive: drop-down list, choose an unused drive letter.
  5.  In the Folder field, type “\\mypages.svsu.edu\username” (REPLACING username with your SVSU username).
  6. Click Finish.
    From the Drive: drop-down list, choose an unused drive letter. In the Folder field, type “\\mypages.svsu.edu\username” (REPLACING username with your SVSU username). Click Finish
  7. A mapped network folder will now be listed in File Explorer.  Transfer files by clicking and dragging or copying and pasting directly to folders in the M Drive.

Map a Network Drive on a Mac Computer

When you log onto any Mac computer on campus, you can connect to your M Drive through the Finder. Macs connect differently to the M Drive so you will need the appropriate server mapping for your account. Once connected, treat your M Drive like any other drive on your computer. Instructions below include Mac access to J Drive for faculty and staff.

M Drive
Connect your Mac to the M Drive via Finder, when:

  • Using an SVSU-issued computer
  • Using Mac
  • Connected to the internet via GlobalProtect VPN
  1. From the Finder, click Go and choose Connect to Server.
    From the Finder, click Go and choose Connect to Server.
  2. Type smb://mypages.svsu.edu into the Server Address field.
  3. Click the + symbol to add the mapping to your list of favorite servers. Next time you connect you will not have to type it in the field.
  4. Click Connect.
    Type smb://mypages.svsu.edu into the Server Address field. Click the + symbol to add the mapping to your list of favorite servers. Next time you connect you will not have to type it in the field. Click Connect.

J Drive

Connect your Mac to the J Drive via Finder, when:

  • Using an SVSU-issued computer
  • Using Mac
  • Connected to the internet via GlobalProtect VPN
    1. From the Finder, click Go and choose Connect to Server.
      From the Finder, click Go and choose Connect to Server.
    2. Type smb://ad.svsu.edu/departments into the Server Address field.
    3. Click the + symbol to add the mapping to your list of favorite servers. Next time you connect you will not have to type it in the field.
    4. Click Connect.

Your URL

Files, in your M Drive public_html folder, are accessible to the public.  View the files by using any the following URLs :

  • www.svsu.edu/~username
  • mypages.svsu.edu/username
  • mypages.svsu.edu/~username
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