Transcript presentation

Network Storage
A primer for understanding file
sharing and setting up a directory
structure for a church organization
Why use a server?

Centralized Storage
By storing files on the server, they are
accessible from any computer
 Multiple users can access the same
files and folders, aiding collaboration


Common Applications

Some programs, like a central
database, can be installed and
maintained once, but used by all.
Why use a server?

One word: backups
All files on the server are backed up
nightly. By storing important files on
the server, you can recover them if
anything happens to them.
 By contrast, your individual
workstation is not backed up. Ever. If
you accidentally delete a file, it’s gone.

Why use a server?
You would not store every important
piece of paper on top of your desk, as
it would be too unorganized.
 Similarly, all of the electronic files of
the Parish cannot be stored in the
same place, as it would be confusing!
 The server provides multiple places to
store files, just like your desk gives
you multiple storage locations.

Some Terminology

Drive
A drive is a storage location on a
computer. Think of it like a drawer in
your desk. Each drive can have
multiple folders in it.
 Each drive is assigned a letter.
 Each drive can have permissions, like
a lock on the drawer, which limits who
can see files or folders shared on the
drive, who can add files to folders, etc.

Some Terminology

Local Drive
Local drives are specific to your
computer. For example, the hard
drive on your computer is called C:\
Your DVD drive is called D:\
 Any user of a computer (using their
own ID) can store information on a
local drive.
 Some folders on the drive can have
their own permissions.

Some Terminology

Network Share Drive
Network Share drives are located on
the server. They are like “virtual
drawers”
 Share drives are generally set up to
cover major categories of information
(for example, “Faith Formation”, or
“My Personal Files”)
 Each share drive can have its own
permissions assigned.

Parish Share Drives

F:\ (Faith Formation)

The F:\ drive will be set up for files
and folders related to Faith Formation.
Parish Share Drives

U:\ (Personal Drive)
Each user will have a U:\ drive, where
they can store personal files.
 Each U:\ drive is unique, and cannot
be accessed by other users.
 Files stored in the U:\ drive will be
accessible by the user no matter what
computer they use (they’re portable).
 U:\ drive files will be backed up nightly

Parish Share Drives

P:\ (Public Area)
The P:\ drive is the “catch all” for all
files and folders that don’t belong on
other share drives.
 It will be accessible by all staff.

Tree Structure

Each drive will need to establish a
structure that makes it easy to find the
files you need.


If you had 400 folders appear at once,
you’d never be able to find anything!
Each folder can have sub-folders, and
each sub-folder can have sub-folders.
The result is a tree-like structure,
called the directory tree
Tree Structure Example

F:\

(drive)
Religious Education
• K-3 Programs
• Spring 2008
• Schedule of Topics.xls
• Handouts – Session 1.doc
• Fall 2008
• Planned Topics.doc
• Grades 6-9
• Organizational Information

Youth Ministry
(folder)
(folder)
(folder)
(file)
(file)
(folder)
(file)
(folder)
(folder)
(folder)
etc…
The Challenge

Think about your areas in terms of
identifying categories of information.
Try to draw out the first few levels of
the structure. Think about what you
would store in which folders.
 “Could I find what I was looking for
quickly using this structure?”


Think about common topics that apply
to all areas, such as building use
information, bulletins, etc.
Discuss