About the Z Drive
Who can see my Z Drive / What are the different folder for in my Z Drive:
EVERYBODY (Internet Accessible):
- z:\ --> everybody can see it (but not write to it - this location translates directly to http://student.cob.ohiou.edu/yourOakID - using this URL is how you can access it from any computer that has internet access and a web browser)
- z:\any other folder you create at this level --> everybody can see it (but not write to it)
ONLY yourself and MIS faculty:
- z:\source --> only you and MIS faculty can see it
- z:\source\any other folder you create at this level --> only you and MIS faculty can see it
ONLY yourself:
- z:\private --> only you can see it
- z:\private\any other folder you create at this level --> only you can see it
The default four folders in your Z drive are 'private' and 'source'. An index file (cobindex.htm) is created by default. You can edit this file any way you like. Other acceptable index files names include: index.htm, index.html, index.asp, default.htm, default.html, default.asp.
Removing an index file from a folder enables directory browsing, meaning you (and anybody else) can see what files are in the folder from a web browser. This holds true for all other folders you create that are internet accessible (*see the Everybody section above). Create an index file to hide the contents - this will not prevent access to files, just disable directory browsing. Anything placed in the root folder of your Z drive is accessible by the internet (meaning everybody can see it). If you create a directory immediately under the root of your Z drive, it will be visible to anybody on the web. The database folder is accessible by the internet and will hold your database files. Is short, do not put anything in the root of your Z Drive that you don't mind sharing with the world.
The source folder is not accessible by the internet; however, it can be access by MIS faculty. It will be used for class related files or whatever you want not to be accessible from the web.
The folders accessible by the internet should not be used to store anything unless instructed to for a CoB class and/or you understand the files placed in these folders are potentially visible by anybody with internet access.
The private folder is only accessible by your student account (not by MIS faculty or anonymously via the internet).
SFTP Access
How to Download the Client
If you do not have the client discussed in these instructions, you can download here:
When prompted for your username and password use your Oak ID and password used for checking your Oak email (not your PID found on your student card which is used to access CoB labs).
Connecting
From the Start menu, go to Programs, then choose SSH Secure Shell and finally choose Secure File Transfer Client. Once SFTP is started, there are three ways of making a connection to a server.
- Select the Connect option (from the toolbar or from the File menu) to establish a new SSH connection to a server.
- Or press the Enter key on the keyboard. The Connect option or Enter key is available only when you are not connected to any server.
- Select the Quick Connect option (from the toolbar or the File menu) to establish a new SSH connection. You can connect to an entirely new server and still keep the old connection open.
Connect to Remote Host
The Connect to Remote Host dialog appears, already filled in with the values defined in the default configuration file. Simply enter your user name and click Connect. The program remembers your previous connection. When you click the Connect button, the Password dialog box appears. Enter in your password for the server and press the Connect button (your password is your PID found on your student ID card - be sure to include the capital "P followed by the nine numbers).
File Transfer
You can initiate a file transfer by clicking on the New File Transfer Window button on the toolbar, or by selecting the New File Transfer option from the Window menu. You can have an unlimited number of File Transfer windows open at the same time. You can only use the Secure File Transfer Client to login to a server running SSH secure server software.
File Transfer Window
The File Transfer window displays the contents of any open directories and gives basic information on each file. The File Transfer windows consist of three panes: Local View (files on your local computer), Remote View (files on the server) and Transfer View (files transferred between the local and remote computers).
By default, Local View is displayed on the left side, Remote View on right side, and Transfer View below the Local and Remote Views.
The File Transfer window with the three Views.
File Transfer Toolbar
The buttons that are available only in the File Transfer window are located between the Settings button and the Contents button.
Uploading Files
There are several different ways to upload a file. You can upload several files at the same time. If you hold down the Shift key, all the files and folders between the first and last selection will be selected. If you hold down the Control key, you can select individual files and folders one by one.
- Drag and drop - click on the local file you want to upload, hold down the mouse button, and drag the file into the File Transfer window and release.
- Upload button - you can click the Upload button on the File Transfer window's toolbar to upload the selected file.
- Shortcut menu - when you right-click on a file in Local View or on an empty space in the Remote View, a shortcut menu appears. Select the Upload or Upload Dialog option.
Upload - Select Files
Next, an Upload - Select Files dialog is displayed. This is where you can select which file(s) you want to upload. Select the desired files by clicking them with the mouse. You can use the Look in selection box to select the location of the files: a folder, a drive or your desktop. After you have selected the files, Transfer View shows the current downloading status.
This document is based on the instructions provided by CSC: http://training.cats.ohiou.edu/training/ouonly/xpguides/SFTP.pdf
How long will my Z Drive remain active
For CoB majors, your Z Drive will remain active as long as you are taking CoB courses. For quarters that you are not taking CoB classes, your Z Drive will be archived and not available online. Once you start taking CoB classes again, your Z Drive will be available again with all of the previous contents.
If you are not a CoB major, your Z drive will remain active ONLY for the quarter you are taking a CoB class in a CoB lab.
The Z drive for a recent graduate will remain active until the end of summer following their graduation.