How can I easily work with my IFS files?

[Profound Logic]

Q:
How can I easily work with my IFS files?

A:
Developing Web applications often involves working with IFS files such as images, style sheets, Javascript files, PDF documents, etc. An easy way to work with these files is to map a network drive to your IFS. This is done using an i5/OS program called iSeries NetServer. This program allows Windows PCs to connect to the System i IFS file system. After this is configured, you can use Windows Explorer/My Computer on your PC to easily move, copy, delete, search, and edit your IFS files.

To map a network drive to your IFS:

1. Connect to your System i machine using iSeries Navigator.

2. In the navigation tree on the left, select "Network", then "Servers", then "TCP/IP".

3. In the resulting list of server programs, find "iSeries NetServer". Verify that NetServer is running by checking its status field. If the status does not show "started", right click on the program and select "Start". The server program list should refresh and show you that NetServer is now running. If NetServer is already running, no action is necessary here.

4. Now you can select folders to share with Windows. To do this, select "File Systems" in the navigation tree on the left. Next, select "Integrated File System". Finally, select "Root". You can select individual folders for sharing by right clicking on a folder and selecting "Sharing->New Share" on the right click menu. On the resulting dialog, you can give the share a name and also set whether the share is read only or if it's also write-capable. After you finish the dialog, you should see a hand icon underneath the folder in the tree to indicate that it is shared. You can also share the entire IFS by selecting the Root folder.

5. In Windows, open My Computer. From the Tools menu, select Map Network Drive. On the resulting dialog, select an unused drive letter. In the "Folder" field, enter:

\\YourSystemiNameORIP\ShareName

The share name is the one that you created in step 4. Check the "Reconnect at Login" box and the click "OK" to finish the dialog.

6. Windows should now connect to your System i and prompt for your for your i5/OS sign on.

7. You now have a Windows network drive mapped to your IFS share. You can access the drive using My Computer. The folders and files within can now be moved, copied, deleted, or edited using Windows functions or PC software.