can multiple drives be mapped as one share

[jlayer3]

I have data on 6 drives on a 2000 server and I want users be able to access all the data with one drive mapping like so:

2000 server has G:\data1\,H:\data2\

User has F:\data1 and also F:\data2

Is this possible?

Thanks...Josh

 

[Tightpants]

This is possible if you use DFS. You can create DFS links to each of the shares and map a drive letter to the DFS root.

 

[jlayer3]

I'll have to research that. What's a DFS?

 

[markdmac]

Create a new share on your server with nothing in it. Then create virtual directories within that share that point to the data on the other two shares.

DFS is also an excellent solution but may be overkill depending on your number of servers and shares.

DFS is distributed file system. See this thread: thread329-1069921

I hope you find this post helpful.

Regards,

Mark

 

[jlayer3]

Thanks for helping.

If I go to <i>administrative tools>computer management>shared folders>shares>action>create new share</i>, the dialog box makes me put in a folder to share. So, I don't see how to make a new share with nothing in it.

Josh

 

[markdmac]

Just creat a folder. Right click it and choose properties. Click the Sharing tab. click Share this Folder As: and give it the name you want.

I hope you find this post helpful.

Regards,

Mark

 

[Tightpants]

This gives you an overview of DFS...

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserver2003/docs/dfs.swf

The step-by-step instructions are here...

http://www.microsoft.com/windows2000/techinfo/planning/fileandprint/dfssteps.asp

You would not need to configure replication because you are not copying data between servers.

 

[jlayer3]

Mark,

Thanks for helping. I didn't realize you meant just to create a shared folder. I've done that. Now how do I make virtual directories?

The only thing I've been able to find that mentions virtual directories seems to apply to web pages. It describes Internet Services Manager as the place to create a virtual directory. I don't even have Internet Services Manager under Administrative Tools on this server.

Is this what you mean by virtual directories?

TIA

Josh

 

[jlayer3]

Tightpants,

Your links were very helpful and I was able to do what I wanted with DFS.

Thanks to you also Mark.

Thanks...Josh

 

[markdmac]

When you have your empty share you can just browse to the UNC paths for the data directories, right click and choose copy. Go to your empty directory and right click and choose paste shortcut.

I hope you find this post helpful.

Regards,

Mark