How to Access your Files on the Thomas Server

 

Copying/Accessing Files (Mapping the Thomas Server)

If you need to copy files from your computer to your Thomas folder (examples: website files, files you make on your computer that you need on the server for a program, etc.), you can access the file share on your computer as follows:

Windows 10:

1. If on campus, make sure you are connected to the Butler Secure wireless network or ethernet (Get Connected). If you are off campus, you will need to connect to the Virtual Private Network (VPN) using Global Protect (GlobalProtect VPN Knowledge Article Index).
2. Click on the Windows Start Menu (button with the Windows logo) type: This PC 
3. This PC should show up as a Top Hit, click on the result
4. Click Map Network Drive in the upper part of the page.
5. For Drive, click the drop-down and select T: (T is a not commonly used drive letter so it won't create conflict with other drives), if publishing a website, type: \\thomas.butler.edu\www or for other files, for Folder type: \\thomas.butler.edu\username, Check the Reconnect At sign-in and Connect using different credentials boxes, and click finish
6. If a Windows Security box appears, enter BUTLER\username in the username field, your Butler network password in the Password field, check the Remember my credentials box, and click Ok
7. Your Thomas folder appears and you can access files just like you would in any other folder on your computer.
   • Note: if you are wishing to publish a website, your website files need to be copied into the www folder and make sure the index.html file is directly in the www folder (and not a folder underneath). Your website should load at https://blue.butler.edu/~username once your files are copied there.
8. You can continue to access your Thomas drive under the This PC app and you will not be required to perform steps 2-6 on subsequent connections. 

Windows 11:

1. If on campus, make sure you are connected to the Butler Secure wireless network or ethernet (Get Connected). If you are off campus, you will need to connect to the Virtual Private Network (VPN) using Global Protect (GlobalProtect VPN Knowledge Article Index).
2. Click on the Windows Start Menu (button with the Windows logo) type: File Explorer.
3. File Explorer should show up as a Top Hit, click on the result.
4. Select This PC on the left-hand pane.
5. Click the three horizontal ellipses to the right of view at the top of the page.
6. Click Map Network Drive from the drop-down list.
7. For Drive, click the drop-down and select T: (T is a not commonly used drive letter so it won't create conflict with other drives), if publishing a website, type: \\thomas.butler.edu\www or for other files, for Folder type: \\thomas.butler.edu\username, Check the Reconnect At sign-in and Connect using different credentials boxes, and click finish.
8. Your Thomas folder will appear and you can access files just like you would in any other folder on your computer.
   • Note: if you are wishing to publish a website, your website files need to be copied into the www folder and make sure the index.html file is directly in the www folder (and not a folder underneath). Your website should load at https://blue.butler.edu/~username once your files are copied there.
9. You can continue to access your Thomas drive under the This PC app and you will not be required to perform steps 2-6 on subsequent connections. 

 

MacOS:

1. If on campus, make sure you are connected to the Butler Secure wireless network or ethernet (Get Connected). If you are off campus, you will need to connect to the Virtual Private Network (VPN) using Global Protect (GlobalProtect VPN Knowledge Article Index).
2. Click the Finder icon in the Dock (far left icon with a face)
3. In the Top menu bar, click Go->Connect to Server
4. Enter thomas.butler.edu in the Server Address field, click the + sign in the bottom left corner to add the server into the favorites and click Connect
5. Enter your Butler username (do not use email address) for Name, Butler network password for your password, check the Remember this password in my keychain and click Connect
6. If publishing a website, make sure the WWW volume is selected, otherwise make sure your username volume is selected and click Ok
7. Your Thomas folder appears and you can access files just like you would in any other folder on your computer.
   • Note: if you are wishing to publish a website, your website files need to be copied into the WWW folder and make sure the index.html file is directly in the WWW folder (and not a folder underneath). Your website should load at https://blue.butler.edu/~username once your files are copied there
8. On subsequent connections, you just need to repeat steps 2 and 3, then select your Thomas server from your favorites and Click Connect

SFTP (Filezilla, CyberDuck, etc.):

For those that would like to upload files via Secure File Transfer Protocol (SFTP), you are able to connect to Thomas via SFTP. If you are on campus, make sure you are connected to the Butler Secure wireless network or ethernet (Get Connected). If you are off campus, you just need an internet connection (no VPN required). Instructions vary per application, so it is not in scope of this article to provide step by step instructions. Refer to the documentation for whatever application you use, but the relevant details for Thomas are:

• Server/host: thomas.butler.edu
• Port: 22
• Username: username  (do not use email address)
• Password; Butler network password
• Once connected, if you are uploading website files, make sure they are copied into the public_html folder and the index.html is directly in the public_html folder (and not in a folder underneath)

Related Links:

• Thomas Server Knowledge Article Index
• 403 Forbidden: Thomas Permissions Error to Student Website
• How do I set up my Thomas webpage correctly?
• I cannot access my Thomas
• How to Remotely log in to the Thomas Server via SSH
• How to Unmap a Network Drive