Exploring AD : Creating a Mapped Drive

In my journey of exploration and learning in the world of IT, I am excited to delve into the realm of mapped drives. Mapped drives offer a fascinating avenue to enhance efficiency and streamline workflows, making them an indispensable tool in the IT arsenal. In this blog, I will unravel the intricacies of creating mapped drives, exploring their practical applications, and shedding light on their significance in the modern tech landscape.

Real-World Uses:

1. Centralized File Storage: Mapped drives allow users to access centralized file storage locations, such as network servers or cloud storage, seamlessly. This facilitates easy collaboration and ensures that everyone is working with the most up-to-date files.

2. Simplified Access: By mapping a drive, users can access a network location with a simple click, eliminating the need to remember and type in long UNC paths repeatedly.

3. Enhanced Security: Mapped drives can be set up to require authentication, ensuring that only authorized users have access to sensitive data.

Here are the initial steps I took while logged into the server to create an SMB share. I followed the standard procedure, going through the usual prompts until the share was successfully created.

During this process, I named the new shared folders "HR" and "Personal."

SMB (Server Message Block) is a network protocol used for sharing files, printers, and other resources between nodes on a network. It allows computers running Windows to communicate with other devices, such as printers and file servers, as well as with other computers running the SMB protocol.

Having created the two shares, you can easily categorize users and grant them access to the shared folders by creating groups. By creating a group under the Users folder named "Personal" and "HR," you can efficiently manage permissions and ensure that only authorized users have access to these folders. This approach simplifies the process of granting and revoking access, making it easier to maintain security and organization within your network.

I am now going to add Shankar to the "Personal" and "HR" group through the group properties in Active Directory, follow these steps:

1. Open Active Directory Users and Computers: Launch the Active Directory Users and Computers console from the Start menu.

2. Locate the Group: Navigate to the "Users" folder and find the "Personal" or "HR" group.

3. Open Group Properties: Right-click on the group and select "Properties."

4. Navigate to the Members Tab: In the group's properties window, go to the "Members" tab.

5. Add User: Click on the "Add" button, then enter Shankar's username in the provided field.

6. Verify User Addition: Click "OK" to add Shankar to the group. You should see Shankar listed under the group's members.

7. Confirm Access: Verify that Shankar now has access to the corresponding shared folder.

Managing permissions for shared folders is essential for ensuring data security and access control. In this guide, I'll walk you through the process of adjusting shared folder permissions using advanced security settings. We'll disable inheritance to establish unique permissions, remove existing users, and add specific groups like "HR" or "Personal" to grant access. Additionally, we'll add the "Helpdesk" group with the necessary permissions to maintain and access the shared folders.

Steps:

1. Open Shared Folder Properties: Right-click on the shared folder and select "Properties."

2. Navigate to the Security Tab: In the properties window, go to the "Security" tab.

3. Access Advanced Security Settings: Click on the "Advanced" button to access advanced security settings.

4. Disable Inheritance: In the "Advanced Security Settings" window, click on the "Disable inheritance" button. Choose the option to convert inherited permissions into explicit permissions if prompted.

5. Remove Existing Users: Remove the existing users listed by selecting them and clicking on the "Remove" button.

6. Add Group Permissions: Click on the "Add" button to add the "HR" or "Personal" group, depending on the folder. Select the group and configure the desired permissions (e.g., Full Control, Read, Write).

7. Add Helpdesk Group: Similarly, add the "Helpdesk" group and configure the permissions for them to maintain and access the folder.

8. Apply Changes: Click "Apply" and then "OK" to apply the new permissions.

Here are the steps I took to map the network drive on the other VM.

Another method to add a mapped drive is through the properties under the user Profile tab. This allows you to create a home folder that automatically connects to a new drive when the user logs in.

In conclusion, mapped drives offer a versatile solution for accessing and managing shared resources in a networked environment. By mapping drives, users can simplify access to files and folders, enhance collaboration, and improve productivity. Through this exploration, we've learned how to create mapped drives, manage permissions, and configure settings to meet specific needs.

Whether you're setting up mapped drives for a small team or a large organization, understanding the process and best practices can help you maximize the benefits of this technology. By following the steps outlined in this blog, you can streamline workflows, improve data security, and create a more efficient and productive work environment.