An index to CAE filespace articles

This article is intended as a one-stop shop for articles pertaining to CAE filespace.

You can click on the panels below to expand the related article. Links to each individual article are included below.

Filespace

Remote Access to your CAE Files on the web

Access to CAE resources requires that you are either on campus or connected through an approved VPN. Please connect using one of the following services:

Important: If you are connected to WiscVPN or Engineering VPN, ensure that no other VPN software (such as McAfee VPN or other third-party VPN clients) is active at the same time. Multiple VPN connections may interfere with authentication and prevent access to CAE services.

Files located on a CAE account can be accessed remotely through https://myfiles.cae.wisc.edu . When accessing this site, you will be prompted to log in using your CAE username and password.

You may also access your files through your My CAE Account page:
  • Navigate to my.cae.wisc.edu
  • Log in using your CAE username and password
  • Select Disk Space
  • Click the File Manager link
Download
To download a file, right-click the file and select Download.
Upload
To upload a file, select the Upload button located at the top of the page. Click Browse to select your file, then click Upload to complete the process.
Move Files
To move a file, right-click the file and select Cut. Navigate to the destination folder, right-click within the folder pane, and select Paste.
Folder Navigation
To open a folder, double-click it in either the left or right pane. To move up one directory level, double-click the green Up arrow at the top of the page.
Storage Best Practice: All academic, research, and project files should be saved to your I: Drive. Files stored on local desktops, downloads folders, or temporary locations are not backed up and may be lost. The I: Drive is the approved, backed-up storage location for CAE users.

Alternatively, you can map your CAE Filespace as a Network Drive on your computer.

Mapping Your CAE Network Drive

When you are in a CAE Windows lab, your files can be found on your I drive. In CAE Linux labs, this same space will be your default home directory.

These instructions help you access your files from computers outside CAE labs. 
**Note you can only reach your network drive from any UW-Madison campus wireless network, or the Engineering or WiscVPN. Details on how to connect to the Engineering VPN here: Installing and Connecting to VPN. If you have not yet activated your Engineering VPN, please follow the instructions here: Activating VPN Access**

How to map your CAE home directory

Windows

  1. Open "File Explorer" (Folder Icon in taskbar, otherwise under start menu)
file explorer
 
2. Right Click "This PC" on the sidebar and click "Map network drive"
After right clicking "This PC" click "Map network drive" in the context menu
3. In "Drive:" enter any available letter
4. In "Folder:" enter \\files.cae.wisc.edu\[login_name_first_initial]\[login_name].  (For example, for the account johndoe, the path is \\files.cae.wisc.edu\j\johndoe.) 
    Please check the "Connect using different credentials" box to make sure you can sign in with your CAE credentials.  If you only want to have to do this once, choose the checkbox "Reconnect at sign-in."
Visual of example above in step 4.
5. When prompted for your login name and password, be sure to use your CAE login, with the ENGR domain specified before. It should look like: ENGR\johndoe
Image displaying what the username should look like. See step 5
6. Click "Finish."

Mac OS

  1. From Finder, press Command+K
  2. Enter the path to your directory: smb://files.cae.wisc.edu/[login_name_first_initial]/[login_name] (For example, for the account johndoe, the path is \\files.cae.wisc.edu\j\johndoe.) 
  3. Click "Connect"
  4. Enter your CAE login and password, with the ENGR domain specified, e.g. ENGR\johndoe, and click "OK"
  5. The drive is now mounted, however it will disappear when you reboot. To enable persistence do the following:
  6. Go to System Preferences from the Apple menu
  7. Click on "Accounts" then "Login Items"
  8. Click the + button to add another login item
  9. Locate the CAE drive you just added, and select "Add"
  10. Exit out of system preferences

Linux

 

The addresses of CAE smb shares are smb://groupspace.cae.wisc.edu for CAE Groupspace and smb://files.cae.wisc.edu/<FirstLetterOfCAEUsername>/<CAEUsername> for CAE Filespace. You also need the domain to be ENGR and you will use your CAE credentials

Option 1: File manager

In your desktop file browser (eg. Thunar, Dolphin), use the navigation bar and enter in smb://<servername>/<sharename>.

Depending on which distribution of Linux you are using, you may need to click on "Other Locations" and use the "Connect to Server" field instead of just entering the address into the navigation bar. Example screenshots of both Debian and Ubuntu are included below.

 Debian:

     Debian Server Address

 Ubuntu:

     Ubuntu Server Address

You should get a prompt asking for your credentials. Be sure to specify the Domain as ENGR and sign in with your CAE credentials.  You can choose how long the password will be saved, but we would recommend selecting Forget Password Immediately, as shown in the Debian image below.  Depending on your distribution of Linux, you may need to specify you are connecting as an Authorized User, instead of an Anonymous one.

 Debian:

    Debian Login Info

 Ubuntu:

     Ubuntu Login Info

Option 2: Command line

The following command will mount the filesystem in a sub-directory of /run/user/${UID}/gvfs:

$ gio mount smb://<servername>/<sharename>

Make sure the domain is ENGR, and to use your CAE credentials. You can then symlink that somewhere more convenient ie: $ ln -s /run/user/${UID}/gvfs ~/gvfs. Note that gio mount is not persistent and must be run each time the computer is rebooted.

NOTE: You may need to install packages for the commands to be available, including libfuse3 and gvfs-fuse (for Debian/Ubuntu based machines).

Here is an example of creating a mount:

$ gio mount smb://files.cae.wisc.edu/b/buckyb


You can see how much disk space you have available, and view a detailed analysis of the files in your Unix/Windows home directory, on the CAE My Account page under "Disk Space".

Checking Disk Quota - available and maximum

Maximum allowed disk space

First thing, how much disk space do you have anyway? Here is a general rule of thumb:

    • When a CAE account is created, it is given a base allotment of 10 GB.

    • College of Engineering undergrads and grad students are given additional 15 GB (25 GB total).
    • CoE faculty/staff get an additional 40 GB to the base allotment (50 GB total).

  • Other factors that affect allotment include special course requirements and purchased disk space.

Checking current vs. maximum disk usage

Although there are a few ways to check your disk space from Windows and Linux machines, CAE suggests checking from your CAE account page.

This is the easiest way, just access this link from any computer: https://account.my.cae.wisc.edu/disk


Emptying Trash

One useful tool is Windows Trash Analysis, great for clearing clutter. Unless your trashed files (Recycle Bin in Windows) are emptied, they still count against your disk quota.



To find large files in your file space, please refer to KB article [Link for document 17845 is unavailable at this time]
 

CAE Filespace Over Quota

Checking Disk Quota and Managing File Storage

There are several methods available for reviewing your current disk usage and available quota. For complete instructions and additional details, please refer to the CAE knowledge base article on disk quota and space usage .

Reducing Disk Usage

If your account is approaching or exceeding its storage limit, use one or more of the following methods to remove unnecessary files from your CAE file space.

  1. Delete files from a CAE Windows computer.
    Sign in to a CAE-managed Windows workstation and remove any files you no longer need from your file space.
  2. Delete files through MyFiles.
    Go to https://myfiles.cae.wisc.edu and sign in using your CAE credentials to manage and delete files directly.

    Note: If you are accessing this service off campus, you must first connect to the campus VPN.
  3. Delete files from a CAE Linux system.
    Open a Terminal session and remove files using standard Linux commands such as rm filename.

After deleting files, be sure to empty the Recycle Bin or Trash. Storage updates are not always immediate; please allow up to 30 minutes for the system to reflect the changes before checking your quota again.

If you need to retain files but free up space, consider moving them to DoIT Box , or to approved external storage such as a flash drive or other secure media.

Reducing Disk Usage After the Grace Period

Users are typically provided a 7-day grace period to bring their account back under quota while maintaining access to their files. Once this grace period has expired, file movement may be restricted. In cases where an account is significantly over quota, file movement may be blocked immediately and the grace period may not apply. In these situations, files must be deleted until the account returns below quota.

Before taking further action, empty the Recycle Bin or Trash and then verify whether your account has returned below the quota threshold. If additional cleanup is needed, use one of the options below.

  1. Use a CAE Linux system.
    Empty the Trash through the graphical interface, or open Terminal and permanently remove files using commands such as rm filename.
  2. Use permanent deletion in Windows File Explorer.
    Select the files you want to remove, then press Shift + Delete to permanently delete them without sending them to the Recycle Bin.

If you are still unable to reduce your disk usage sufficiently or continue to experience issues deleting files, please contact the CAE Help Desk for assistance.

 

Mapping Your CAE Network Drive

When you are in a CAE Windows lab, your files can be found on your I drive. In CAE Linux labs, this same space will be your default home directory.

These instructions help you access your files from computers outside CAE labs. 
**Note you can only reach your network drive from any UW-Madison campus wireless network, or the Engineering or WiscVPN. Details on how to connect to the Engineering VPN here: Installing and Connecting to VPN. If you have not yet activated your Engineering VPN, please follow the instructions here: Activating VPN Access**

How to map your CAE home directory

Windows

  1. Open "File Explorer" (Folder Icon in taskbar, otherwise under start menu)
file explorer
 
2. Right Click "This PC" on the sidebar and click "Map network drive"
After right clicking "This PC" click "Map network drive" in the context menu
3. In "Drive:" enter any available letter
4. In "Folder:" enter \\files.cae.wisc.edu\[login_name_first_initial]\[login_name].  (For example, for the account johndoe, the path is \\files.cae.wisc.edu\j\johndoe.) 
    Please check the "Connect using different credentials" box to make sure you can sign in with your CAE credentials.  If you only want to have to do this once, choose the checkbox "Reconnect at sign-in."
Visual of example above in step 4.
5. When prompted for your login name and password, be sure to use your CAE login, with the ENGR domain specified before. It should look like: ENGR\johndoe
Image displaying what the username should look like. See step 5
6. Click "Finish."

Mac OS

  1. From Finder, press Command+K
  2. Enter the path to your directory: smb://files.cae.wisc.edu/[login_name_first_initial]/[login_name] (For example, for the account johndoe, the path is \\files.cae.wisc.edu\j\johndoe.) 
  3. Click "Connect"
  4. Enter your CAE login and password, with the ENGR domain specified, e.g. ENGR\johndoe, and click "OK"
  5. The drive is now mounted, however it will disappear when you reboot. To enable persistence do the following:
  6. Go to System Preferences from the Apple menu
  7. Click on "Accounts" then "Login Items"
  8. Click the + button to add another login item
  9. Locate the CAE drive you just added, and select "Add"
  10. Exit out of system preferences

Linux

 

The addresses of CAE smb shares are smb://groupspace.cae.wisc.edu for CAE Groupspace and smb://files.cae.wisc.edu/<FirstLetterOfCAEUsername>/<CAEUsername> for CAE Filespace. You also need the domain to be ENGR and you will use your CAE credentials

Option 1: File manager

In your desktop file browser (eg. Thunar, Dolphin), use the navigation bar and enter in smb://<servername>/<sharename>.

Depending on which distribution of Linux you are using, you may need to click on "Other Locations" and use the "Connect to Server" field instead of just entering the address into the navigation bar. Example screenshots of both Debian and Ubuntu are included below.

 Debian:

     Debian Server Address

 Ubuntu:

     Ubuntu Server Address

You should get a prompt asking for your credentials. Be sure to specify the Domain as ENGR and sign in with your CAE credentials.  You can choose how long the password will be saved, but we would recommend selecting Forget Password Immediately, as shown in the Debian image below.  Depending on your distribution of Linux, you may need to specify you are connecting as an Authorized User, instead of an Anonymous one.

 Debian:

    Debian Login Info

 Ubuntu:

     Ubuntu Login Info

Option 2: Command line

The following command will mount the filesystem in a sub-directory of /run/user/${UID}/gvfs:

$ gio mount smb://<servername>/<sharename>

Make sure the domain is ENGR, and to use your CAE credentials. You can then symlink that somewhere more convenient ie: $ ln -s /run/user/${UID}/gvfs ~/gvfs. Note that gio mount is not persistent and must be run each time the computer is rebooted.

NOTE: You may need to install packages for the commands to be available, including libfuse3 and gvfs-fuse (for Debian/Ubuntu based machines).

Here is an example of creating a mount:

$ gio mount smb://files.cae.wisc.edu/b/buckyb


You can see how much disk space you have available, and view a detailed analysis of the files in your Unix/Windows home directory, on the CAE My Account page under "Disk Space".

 

Recovering files from /filespace home directories and group shared space.

Recovering in Windows

File Recovery in Windows:

The CAE uses a Windows utility called "Previous Versions" which is used for file recovery in case of accidental loss or deletion. To restore from these stored files, follow these directions:

  1. Select the folder where the file used to be. Right-click and select "Properties."

    Properties

  2. Click on the tab labeled "Previous Versions"

    Previous Versions

From here, there are 2 ways to restores your files:

Option 1: Here, click on the date you want to recover from, and click on "Open."


Open

Then, you can find the specific file you want to restore, right click on it, and click "Undo Delete"

Undo Delete

Option 2: Restore all files from a specific date. Click on the date you want to restore and click "Restore." Another window will pop up asking for confirmation that you want to restore the previous version.
Restore

 

Recovering in Linux

Your CAE files, including your home directory, does periodic "check pointing" and makes snapshots. These are kind of like backups, but don't have version control. They can be found in the .ckpt hidden directory in your home directory.

Steps to restore a file.

  1. Change to your .ckpt directory. The command is cd ~/.ckpt
  2. List out directories using the ls -la command
    Example output of the ls command
  3. Change to the most recent with the desired files. 
    Changeing directory and listing out files in a checkpoint
  4. Copy that file to your home directory. Example command: cp .bashrc ~/.bashrc

 

 

Connecting your Cloud Storage to CAE lab Machines

Kumo: Cloud Storage Integration

Kumo is a program that allows you to map your cloud based storage drive to a lab computer or XenApp. Developed by Indiana University, it is simple to use and eliminates the need for portable storage devices. Setup is easy, just authorize your storage accounts, and they’ll show up just like a network drive within XenApp or on any lab computer station. Unfortunately, this service is only available on lab computers and through XenApp. 

 
Kumo can be linked to UW Box, UW Google Apps and UW OneDrive. While you can link personal accounts with Kumo, keep in mind that personal accounts are not approved for storage of institutional data. If you have not set up your UW accounts, you will need to do so before you can link them with Kumo.
 
You can learn more about Kumo from the FAQ.
 
When you log onto a CAE lab machine, you should see a small window for your storage setup. 
 
Kumo Setup
 
 
Click on Setup to get started, or go to kumo.engr.wisc.edu, click on the "Log in" button and enter your CAE credentials.
 
Kumo Login
 
 
Next, choose which available online service(s) you wish to map to your computer.
 
Kumo Choose
 
 
Click "Authorize". You will be taken to the log in screen for that service. Each service may have a slightly different log in procedure. This example is for Box.
 
Kumo Auth
 
 
Enter you NetID credentials (These services are tied you your UW account, not CAE account). You may need to enter your email in the netid@wisc.edu format.
Kumo Box
Once your credentials are entered, Click "Grant Access to Box".
Fried Chicken
 
 
Your cloud account should now show up as network storage.
 
Gravy

Groupspace

Creating, Editing, and Deleting a Personal Group Filespace

Creating a Group Filespace

CAE now offers the option to create your own group filespace on our servers. Students, faculty, and staff with active CAE accounts are eligible to create groupspaces. To check your groupspace quota, and to see all of the groupspaces you already belong to, follow this link.

1.  To create a group filespace, you must first create a group that will have access to the filespace. If you already have the desired group created, you can skip this step. You can create a group by following these instructions.

2.  Once your group is created, go back to the groupspace page.

3.  Click on "Create New Groupspace".



4.  You will then need to enter: A groupspace name, a quota, a directory name (the name of the root folder), and the group to have access. Make sure to enter a quota that is less than the MAX amount remaining.



 5.  Click "Submit". It may take our system 5-10 minutes to refresh.
 
6. You will now need to log out, then log back in for Windows to recognize the new groupspace (Windows only).
 
Note: Once your groupspace is active, you can access it from the Groups drive. You can map this network drive by following these instructions.

Editing and Deleting Group Filespaces

1. To edit or delete a group filespace, navigate to the groupspace page.

2. You will see a list of all of the groups you are a member of. For groups that you have administrative rights to, you will see links to "Edit" "Change Owner" and "Delete" in the Actions column on the right side of the screen.

3. Click the appropriate link. The "Edit" link will allow you to increase or decrease the allocated quota for the groupspace.  "Change Owner" will allow you to transfer ownership to another user in the group. "Delete" will allow you to delete the groupspace entirely.

4. You will now need to log out, then log back in for Windows to recognize the changes to the groupspace (Windows only).

Note: If you need to modify the group that has access to a given groupspace, please see these instructions: Changing Ownership of a Group and Adding members to a Group

 

Increase Quota Storage for Personal Groupspace

Step 1- Login to my.cae.wisc.edu using CAE username and password

Step 2
Find Groupspace on the left hand panel towards the middle of the list and click on it.

#1






Step 3
Find the group you want to increase the quota for and click edit.  Note: You must be the owner of the groupspace

#2

Step 4. Find the quota field and increase to the allotted amount. You will be limited to a certain mb amount. That amount will displayed. 

#3

Step 5. Hit Submit. If it is successful you should see something similar
#5

Student orgs

Accessing Student Org Filespace

Note: In order to remotely access groupspace folders, you must be connected to the WiscVPN, License VPN, or CoE VPN (Engineering_full or split). 

Shared file space

The CAE lab computer image and the CAE file system have combined to change the way that student organizations can access file space. Now filespace can easily be accessed from anywhere, using the following information. Keep in mind that you must be on either the UW campus WiFi, uwmadisonVPN, or one of the various Engineering VPN portals.

  • On a CAE Windows lab computer, look in the H: drive (studentorgs folder) and find your group's file folder. You will only see resources that you are allowed to access, so the list won't be excessively long.
  • On a CAE Linux lab computer, go to /groupspace/studentorgs and find your group's file folder.
  • To map the drive on computers outside CAE labs, the path is \\groupspace.cae.wisc.edu\studentorgs.
You can also access the student org filespace from your browser by going to https://myfiles.cae.wisc.edu/. This also requires that you are on one of the UW campus or Engineering networks.
 

Website 

Student Org websites have been transitioned to WiscWeb.  For more information, please see: https://it.wisc.edu/services/web-content-management-wiscweb-cms/

Coursespace

Coursespace Management

Getting to your Coursespaces

Login to my.cae.wisc.edu and click the "Groupspace" link in the left navigation.

Look for the "View Coursespaces" link (if you do not see this, you do not have access to any coursespaces).
Coursespaces link

You can also access your coursespaces directly via: https://spaces.my.cae.wisc.edu/coursespace

Managing your Coursespaces

If you have access to any coursespaces, you will see them listed with relevant information.  Click on the coursespace's link to view more details.
Coursespaces list

In the "Groupspaces" information area, you will have the following options if you have management access to the coursespace:
Coursespace management links

- "Add Groupspaces" - if you have not reached your maximum groupspaces, you may add more here.
- "Membership Mgmt" - you may manage groupspace membership here by adding and removing accounts, including a list of the course roster for selection.
- "Groupspace(s) Quota Mgmt" - you may update the quota for each groupspace here, either individually, or all at once.



See Also


Keywords:
storage myfiles groupspace group file space box kumo google drive map course coursespace student org quota 
Doc ID:
8526
Owned by:
Noel K. in CAE
Created:
2008-11-16
Updated:
2025-10-13
Sites:
Computer-Aided Engineering