The "V" Drive ( for individuals)

The VDrive provides extra space for storing media files between class sessions or to use to backup media files. It is available to all students. When you log in the V drive is mounted automatically on  Windows stations, very much like the H drive or Home directory we are used to, but larger. Macintosh users don't see it automatically, but follow the steps below to mount the directory.

To take advantage of this capability please fill out this form:

Click me!

VDrive Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Who can access this directory to add, delete, or organize the files in it?

Only you. Your secure login ensures that only you can access your V drive files.

How often are files on the V drive cleaned out?  Important!

Between semesters, usually a few days after grades are due, V drive directories will be purged. If you want to retain any of the data from your V drive directory, please back it up to some other media that you take with you: CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, USB or Firewire hard drives are all good methods for retaining data.

• Instructions on how to back up files to CD/DVD on a Macintosh computer.

• Backing up your Final Cut Pro project.

What other ways are there for me to archive my work?

For Final Cut Pro projects it is also possible to just save the project file. This contains all of the information necessary to rebuild the project, although this means redigitizing your original tapes. You can also lay off your finished program to tape.

Is the VDrive fast enough for me to work on video files directly?

Yes and no. You could work on video files on the VDrive, but performance will not be good enough to provide smooth playback. For a place to keep your media files where you can work directly, see the SAN below.

How can I share data with other students, for group projects for example?

Only you can access the files in your V drive folder. If you need to share data, please see “Pub Drive” below.

Can I mount the V drive on a Mac if it does not mount automatically?

Yes, in the Finder, do: Go > Connect to Server. Type in smb://superzero/videovol and click OK. You will be asked to authenticate - use your usual CSUSM login information.

 A Course directory (for groups)

We can create course directories for entire courses. The instructor and all students can access everything that's inside the directory for their course. This allows teams and groups to share large media files for projects or for instructors to make available tutorial materials for exercises. This is something you cannot do with H and V drives - only individuals can access them.

How can I get access to this shared storage for my team?

Course directories can be created on instructor request. Please have your instructor contact Chuck Allen to request one.

Who can access this directory to add, delete, or organize the files in it?

Everyone in the course can access items in a course directory or in the directories you create for teams inside that directory. That way everyone in the course can share information and work. This means that you could discard something important to another person, so it is important to talk about ethics and paying attention to what you're doing.

How often are files on the course directory cleaned out? - Important!

Course directories will be purged at the end of the semester following the semester they were created. If you want to retain any of the data from the Pub drive directory, please back it up to some other media that you take with you: CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, USB or Firewire hard drives are all good methods for retaining data.

• Instructions on how to back up to CD/DVD

• Backing up your FC Pro project

What other ways are there for us to archive our work?

For Final Cut Pro projects it is also possible to just save the project file. This contains all of the information necessary to rebuild the project, although this means redigitizing your original tapes. You can also lay off your finished program to tape.

The Storage Area Network (SAN)

The Storage-Area Network (SAN) is a specialized kind of network that provides a large amount of central storage that can be accessed very quickly by the machines that are attached to it. Twelve Macintosh workstations in the Kellogg Library (KL) open lab (2000) and five stations in editing rooms also on the second floor of the KL are connected via high-speed networking to the SAN. The machines connected in this way are:

• Twelve editing workstations in the Kellogg Library Open Lab (Kel 2000)
• Five editing workstations in rooms in the Academic Technology area
• Six cameras in the studios

Why do I want to use the SAN?

The other storage devices described above are great places to store things, but are not fast enough to allow you to work on video post-production files right on the server. The SAN is fast enough to allow this – it’s just like a big giant hard drive attached to all of the 17 KL workstations. So you can move from one station to another and not worry about moving your files along with you. Log into any of these 17 stations and your files are there and ready to work on.

How can I get access to this extra fast storage?

This storage is intended for to be used to store files that are being actively used for video and audio editing and post-production, rather than a place to just keep files. To take advantage of this capability please contact Will White (8670). Once a directory is created for you, it will mount automatically on the desktop when you login to one of the stations in the KL.

Who can access this directory to add, delete, or organize the files in it?

Only you. Your secure login ensures that only you can access your SAN files.

How often are files on the SAN cleaned out? - Important!

Between semesters, usually a few days after grades are due, SAN user directories will be purged. If you want to retain any of the data from your SAN directory, please back it up to some other media that you take with you: CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, USB or Firewire hard drives are all good methods for retaining data.

• Instructions on how to back up to CD/DVD.

• Backing up your FC Pro project

What other ways are there for me to archive my work?

For Final Cut Pro projects it is also possible to just save the project file. This contains all of the information necessary to rebuild the project, although this means redigitizing your original tapes. You can also lay off your finished program to tape.