Accessing Network Shares

Networking workstations can be set up to share folders. Typically, files and folders are marked to allow users remote access. These are called network shares. If your system is configured to access network shares, you can use your file manager to access these shares and browse them just as easily as if they were located on your local machine. Your level of access to the shared folders (whether read-only or write access, as well) is dependent on the permissions granted to you by the owner of the shares.

To access network shares, open Nautilus and click Network from the Places pane. Nautilus displays the servers and networks that you can access. Double-click on a server or network to access its shares. You might be required to authenticate to the server by providing a username and password. Common network shares are SFTP accessible resources (SSH File Transfer Protocol) or Windows shares.

Figure 5.1. Network File Browser

Network File Browser

Adding a Network Place

  1. Click Computer+Nautilus File Browser+File+Connect to Server.

    Figure 5.2. Connect to Server dialog box

    Connect to Server dialog box

  2. Select a service type, then specify the required information for your type of service.

  3. To bookmark the connection, check Add Bookmark and enter its name.

  4. Click Connect.