How can I access my AUS personal network (ausdrive) folder on MAC OS?

This step-to-step guide has three parts which focus on the following: 

Part I: To connect and mount your AUS personal network folder, follow the steps below: 

Step 1: From the Finder, click on Go and select 'Connect to Server'. Alternatively, you can also hit Command+k on your keyboard. 

Step 2: Enter the path to the network drive you want to map, i.e.: smb://ausdrive.aus.edu/yourusername and click Connect.

You can also click the + icon to add the server path to your favorites for future reference.

Step 3: Connect as a Registered User and enter your AUS login credentials and click Connect.

The folder is now mounted onto your machine. If you cannot locate your folder on the Desktop, follow these steps below:

Step 1: Click on Finder.

Step 2: Click on Preferences.

Step 3: Select the General tab.

Step 4: Check Connected Servers. 

This will ensure that your mounted folder is accessible through your Desktop while you are connected to it. 

While mounting allows you to access your AUS personal network folder, it will not guarantee that the folder remains available on your Desktop if you re-start your machine. You will have to follow the above steps again in order to access your AUS personal network folder. In order to prevent this, you can refer to Part II or III of this guide once you have successfully mounted it.

Part II: To create an Alias, a shortcut that enables you to bypass steps 1-3 (Part I) in the future, follow the steps below:

Step 1: Once mounted on your machine, right click on the folder and select 'Make Alias' from the drop-down menu. 

Step 2: Double click on the Alias to immediately connect and mount your AUS personal network folder onto your Desktop. 

This Alias will always be available on your Desktop. You can use it to access your AUS personal network folder as long as your VPN is connected. 

Part III: To map your AUS personal network folder onto your machine, follow the steps below:

Step 1: From the Apple menu, select System Preferences.

Step 2: Click on Users & Groups.

Step 3: Click on Login Items.

Step 4: Click on the + button to add another login item.

Step 5: Locate the network drive you previously mounted and click Add.

Step 6: Exit out of System Preferences.

The folder is now mapped onto your machine. Mapping your AUS personal network folder will give you permanent access to the folder via your machine, even if you re-start your machine.