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Using Shared Network Files in Document Libraries

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djkries

Technical User
Oct 28, 2005
2
US
Is there a way to set a document library to access a shared network drive, for example: \\grumpy\documents\?

So that when the SharePoint user opens the document library, he gets a view of all the files in the shared network drive. We automatically update reports on a shared network folder, and we have to copy the report files one by one into Sharepoint to have the latest files available in the document library.

Or, is there a way to automatically upload new files from a shared network location into a Sharepoint document library on a regularly scheduled basis?

Thanks, DK
 
Document libraries are actually SQL Server tables, with the documents stored as text fields.

You have a couple of options. With the Web client installed, you can view the document library as a network share. This could allow your update program to interact with the document library instead of the file system network share.

Or, you could write managed code that uses the Sharepoint management object to interact with the doc library.

If you must keep the reports on a file system network share, and/or you can't install the Web client on every box, then you can create a link to the share instead of using a document library.

HTH,

Phil Hegedusich
Senior Programmer/Analyst
IIMAK
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I'm not as think as you confused I am.
-----------
Flabbergasted (a.): Amazed at how much weight one has gained.
-----------
Oyster (n.): One who sprinkles their conversation with Yiddish expressions.
 
You have a couple of options. With the Web client installed, you can view the document library as a network share. This could allow your update program to interact with the document library instead of the file system network share."

Could you explain this a little further...

we are looking to make files available to our users, both their own private home folder on the network as well as the shared documents.

thanks.

:: baronne
------------------
"lekker, shot bru
 
If you have the Web Client service running on the user's machine (C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe -k LocalService; in conjunction with the WebDAV Client Redirector and available only on XP), you can present the document library to the user as a shared network drive. Thus it would be available through Windows Explorer and not just through the SharePoint web page.

Now that I've written all that and revisited your request, especially the last statement, what you really need is a service or scheduled task that would monitor the shared network drive(s) and transfer any new documents to the Sharepoint library.

It's counterproductive, redundant, confusing, and wasteful to have a copy of the documents in both places. A Sharepoint document library should replace the file system as a document storage area. But I think that's your goal, isn't it?

Phil Hegedusich
Senior Programmer/Analyst
IIMAK
-----------
I'm not as think as you confused I am.
-----------
Flabbergasted (a.): Amazed at how much weight one has gained.
-----------
Oyster (n.): One who sprinkles their conversation with Yiddish expressions.
 
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