To increase the security of our network, the ports that allow you to map your Unix home directory and instructional drop boxes, through an unencrypted off-campus connection, have been blocked. You can still access those resources by downloading and installing Virtual Private Network (VPN) client software. Once connected through the VPN, you can map the shares by following these directions at the bottom of this page.
- What is the instructional dropboxes?
- What is the difference between dropboxes and files?
- How do I know if my assignment has successfully been submitted?
- Why do I get the error "Cannot create or replace <filename>: Access is is denied. Make sure the disk is not full or write-protected and that the file is not currently in use."?
- How do I access the instructional dropboxes on Masterhit from a Windows machine outside of the ICS labs?
Q: What is the instructional dropbox?
This is an electronic dropbox for submitting homework assignments. The dropboxes are located on the server MASTERHIT on a share called "Instructional". To get to it quickly from a lab machine, click on Start->Run... and type: \\masterhit\instructional. For instructions for connecting from home, see the bottom of the page.
Q: How is the instructional folder setup?You will see a Dropboxes and a Files folder. Under the Dropboxes folder, you will typically see Section folders, one for each discussion section in the class. Sometimes, they are labelled differently as requested by the instructor. Under the Files folder, it will be empty unless the instructor decides to put files/assignments there to distribute to students.
Q: What is the difference between Dropboxes and Files?In the folders located under Dropboxes, the assignments should be dragged onto the appropriate in order to be submitted. Students are only allowed to drop assignments into the Section folders. Viewing what is inside those folders is not permitted. Students can read the files inside the Files folder but cannot modify them. The files should be dragged to the desktop, Unix home directory (typically, the H: drive), or some other location before trying to open and modify them.
Q: How do I know if my assignment has successfully been submitted?You will not receive a message when you drop in your assignment. If you try to drop the same folder a second time, it will give you the error "Cannot create or replace <filename>: Access is is denied. Make sure the disk is not full or write-protected and that the file is not currently in use." This means the folder currently exists inside the Section folder so you successfully dropped your assignment into it.
Q: Why do I get the error "Cannot create or replace <filename>: Access is is denied. Make sure the disk is not full or write-protected and that the file is not currently in use."?The name of the file or folder you are trying to submit currently exists inside the Dropbox (ie. Section folder). You cannot overwrite that file. If you have submitted the assignment already and wish to resubmit the assignment, you need to change the name of the file or folder. For example, you can add "v2" to the name to denote version 2 of your assignment. Your instructor/TA may want it named a specific way for resubmissions so ask them how you should do it.
Q: How do I access the instructional dropboxes on Masterhit from a Windows machine outside of the ICS labs?Masterhit is the main instructional NT Server. If you are running a Windows operating system and have an Internet connection, you can connect to Masterhit and the instructional dropboxes.
Windows XP/Vista:
- Make sure your machine is connected via the UCI VPN.
- Right click on My Computer and choose Map network drive.
- For folder, use \\masterhit.ics.uci.edu\instructional or \\128.195.15.64\instructional.
- Click on "different user name". Use the following convention for the username and password:
- Username: <ICS username>@ics.uci.edu
- Password: ICS password
- Click "OK" and "Finish".
Frequently, users complain of getting the message "Network Path not Found." Your Internet Service Provider* (ISP) may be blocking SMB traffic and causing mapping network drives to fail. Please contact your ISP to resolve this issue. Also, if you are using a DSL/Cable Modem router to share your Internet connection with multiple computers, it may be running a firewall which blocks SMB traffic. Consult your DSL/Cable Modem router manual to fix this problem.
If you are using Linux or another Unix flavor, you will need to find yourself an smb client. You can download and compile Samba from http://samba.anu.edu.au/samba which will provide you with an smb client.* COX blocks the NetBIOS ports which are necessary for accessing dropboxes.
