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Accessing the Libraries' Networked Geodata Collection

The Libraries online Geodata collection is network accessible to North Carolina State University Affiliated Users ONLY. It is not technically feasible to make exceptions. If you are not affiliated with NCSU, you may contact Data Services to ask for assistance with acquiring the data you need, and we can help as time permits.

To search for data availability, consult the Find GIS Data page.

Because of space limitations, not all data is on the network. Contact Data Services to request temporary access to offline data. The following access modes are available:

• Mapped Drive Access (PC)
  
• Mapped Drive Access (Mac)
  
• FTP Access
  
• Off-Campus and Web Access
  

Mapped Network Drive

Windows and Mac users may map the Geodata directory on the gisdata server as a network drive in order to utilize the data from within an application such as ArcView. The following instructions will work in most but not all campus network environments.

If you cannot connect, check with your department's network or system administrator. Please report problems to Data Services.

1. Righ-click and save the following file to your DESKTOP: mapdrv.vbs
2. In a few seconds, you should have your R: drive mapped to the Geodata server
3. If you need to change the drive letter to something besides R:, open mapdrv.vbs in a text editor, and change the R: assignment.

1. Right-click and save the following file to your DESKTOP: mapdrv.bat
2. Double-click on the newly downloaded mapdrv.bat file, and a black DOS window should open
3. Wait a few moments until the black DOS window disappears, and you should have your R: drive mapped to the Geodata server
4. If you need to change the drive letter to something besides R:, open mapdrv.bat in a text editor, and change the R: assignment.

1. Read all instructions prior to completing individual items
2. Go to Start Menu->Run
3. Type "cmd" in the field labeled "Open"
4. From the DOS window you just opened, type the following (all one line), unless you are on a Novell network client (see below):
   
   net use R: \\roanoke.lib.ad.ncsu.edu\geodata "" /user:"" /persistent:yes
   
   If you are on a Novell network client, type this line instead:
   
   net use R: \\roanoke.lib.ad.ncsu.edu\geodata gisdata /user:library\gisdata /persistent:yes
   
   
   • The R: drive letter can be anything you choose.
   • The /persistent:yes will re-map the drive each time you log back into your computer.
5. Type "exit" to close the DOS window
   
   

Mapping Geodata as a Network Drive (Mac)

1. Read all instructions prior to completing individual items
2. Select "Go->Connect to Server" from the menubar
3. In the address field, type "smb://roanoke.lib.ad.ncsu.edu/geodata"
4. Click the "OK" button to connect
5. Leave the Username, Password and Domain fields blank and click the "OK" button
   
   

FTP Access

Anonymous FTP access to the Geodata collection is available for those working in the ncsu.edu domain (generally, on campus) as follows:

FTP address: ftp://gisdata.lib.ncsu.edu

• If you get a "Page Not Found" error when you click this link, hit the Refresh button to get the ftp window to appear.
  
• If you are asked to login (it's possible you won't be asked), enter the following:
  • login: anonymous
  • password: (your e-mail address)
  
  
• If access with the ftp link above does not work, try the Off Campus link below.
  
• Make sure to download data in binary format (unless it is a text file).
  
• MS Internet Explorer version 5.0 or higher provides the easiest FTP environment for multiple file download. If you are using Firefox, you may want to install FireFTP to FTP multiple files.
• ARC/INFO Coverage data must be downloaded as an export file (.e00 extension). In most cases a .e00 file is available in the directory where the ARC/INFO coverage is located. If an export file is not available, contact Data Services to have one made available. See Using .e00 Files below.

Off Campus and Web Access

Web access to the Geodata collection is available for those working in the ncsu.edu domain or those outside ncsu.edu domain who can authenticate with a UNITY login and password. Access the Geodata collection using the link below and enter your UNITY login and password.

Click Here for detailed directions, error resolutions, and firewall conflict information.

http://www.lib.ncsu.edu/cgi-bin/proxy.pl?server=gisdata.lib.ncsu.edu

• Right click on files to be downloaded and save as files on your local system.
  
• ARC/INFO Coverage data must be downloaded as an export file (.e00 extension). In most cases a .e00 file is available in the directory where the ARC/INFO coverage is located. If an export file is not available, contact Data Services to have one made available. See Using .e00 Files below.

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