Connecting to the Campus GIS Server

As an alternative to downloading datasets individually to a hard drive, map to the shared network folders on the campus GIS server. The following instructions are for Windows 95/98/2000/NT/XP users on the Cal Poly campus:

The Windows operating system must first be configured to use the campus servers. Most computers on campus will already be set up correctly. Call the ITS Help Desk (756-7000) for further instructions.

To map to the drives where GIS datasets are located:

  1. Right click on Network Neighborhood (My Network Places for Windows 2000/XP)
  2. Select Map Network Drive
  3. Choose an available Drive letter from the drop-down menu
  4. Specify the "Path" ("Folder" for Windows 2000) by entering from the list below [for example: \\gis\cal_poly]
    • For main campus-related datasets enter \\gis\cal_poly
    • For campus farm datasets enter \\gis\calpoly_farm
    • For ESRI datasets enter \\gis\esridata
    • For City of San Luis Obispo datasets enter \\gis\slo_city
    • For San Luis Obispo County datasets enter \\gis\slo_county
  5. (Optional) Check the "Reconnect at login" box to map the network drive every time the computer is restarted
  6. Click on "OK" ("Finish" for Windows 2000/XP)

Once the computer is mapped to the remote GIS data server, use ArcGIS software to view and download datasets.