To connect to an OU network drive, you will need to first be connected to Wifi@OU, an OU ethernet connection, or if you are off campus, connected to the OU VPN. Please note that off campus connections may experience connection issues due to firewall or security settings with some internet service providers.

The OU VPN offers a secure connection between any remote site and assets on the OU network, such as file servers, data stores, Virtual Labs, enterprise applications, etc. You can continue to use your campus’s existing VPN: Norman / Health Sciences Center / Tulsa.

However, we recommend that all Norman, Health Sciences Center, and Tulsa users who require VPN connect through the new GlobalProtect VPN to ensure that we are able to support additional need for off-campus access to these critical tools. Connect to GlobalProtect VPN:

• For Windows
• For MacOS

Connecting to your network drive:

In Windows 7, 8, 10 and 11:

1. Open File Explorer, or go to the Start Menu and search “This PC”. On Windows 7 or earlier; “Computer”.
2. Right click on This PC.
3. Select “Map Network Drive” from the drop-down menu.
4. Choose a letter for your drive and enter the address for the folder. Example: “I” for the Drive letter, and  \\norfile.net.ou.edu\PHILOSOPHYSHARED for the folder.
5. Check the box to Reconnect at sign-in.
   1. This will reconnect to the folder every time you sign in so it’s always available to you.
   2. You will also be given the option to Connect Using Different Credentials. This is mainly used if the computer is not on the Sooner Domain.
6. Select Finish. If the Connect Using Different Credentials option was checked, a network logon will pop up and asking you to enter in your sooner\OUNetID and password.

To connect in Windows 8.1

1. Go to the Apps Screen and select “This PC” (alternative: go to start screen and search for “Computer”)
2. Choose “Computer” from the “This PC” menu.
3. Select “Map Network Drive”.
4. Starting at step 4, proceed as above.

On a Mac OS X:

1. Click on Finder (or single-click anywhere on the Desktop to open Finder).
2. Click “Go” at the top of the screen.
3. Select “Connect to server”. Pressing Command+K once in Finder will accomplish the previous two steps.
4. Type the path to the shared address starting with “smb” (for example smb://norfile.net.ou.edu/PHILOSOPHYSHARED)
5. Click “+” to add the address to your favorite servers.
6. Click “Connect”.
7. Make sure “Registered User” is selected. You will have to enter in your sooner\OUNetID and password.
8. Then click “Connect” again.

After you have followed the steps above, if you would like the mapped network drive to automatically remount:

1. Go to System Preferences.
2. Click on Accounts or for new versions of Mac OS, Users & Groups.
3. Then Login Items. Note this is Login Items, rather than Login Options.
4. Click the “+” button to add another login item.
5. Locate the network drive you previously mounted and click Add.
6. Your network drive will now automatically remount when you reboot your Mac.

After you have followed the steps above, if you would like the mapped network drive to appear on the desktop:

1. Go to the Finder menu.
2. Then to Preferences.
3. Click the General tab.
4. Select the checkbox next to Connected Servers.
5. Close Finder Preferences and the drive should display on your desktop.