Department File Server

The department maintains a file server (waldorf.chem.wisc.edu) with an array of redundant disks for data safety. The system periodically snapshots the state of the filesystem, so it is possible to recover older versions files that have been accidentally deleted, over-written, or otherwise corrupted. The server synchronizes hourly to a second, identical server (statler.chem.wisc.edu) which is located off-campus in a DoIT data center.

(As of August 12, 2026, the server has 132TB of available space.)

Access Group Folders on ChemistryFS3

The permissions for research group folders draws from HR records in Workday. The people in each PI's supervisory organization will automatically be granted access to the group's folder on ChemistryFS3. However, TAs and NSF fellows may have a supervisor listed in Workday who is not their PI. In that case, to obtain access to a research group's folder on the department file server, contact your PI. They can add your account by managing the permission group through the Manifest service. (The change may take up to 90 minutes to apply.)

Access to ChemFiles

Each folder of administrative files has a group in Manifest to manage permissions.

Connecting from Windows

Open a File Explorer window, right-click on This PC in the sidebar on the left to bring up the context menu, and choose 'Map network drive...' In the window it brings up, enter \\chemistryfs3.chem.wisc.edu\Groups, select 'Connect using different credentials', and 'Finish'. In the authentication window, enter your NetID with the prefix AD\ (e.g. AD\bbadger), and your NetID password. Check 'Remember my credentials', and continue. This will create a permanent connection to the server on your computer, using the drive letter you chose. ('Z:' as the default)

Connecting from Mac & Linux

The network address for Mac and Linux is 'smb://chemistryfs3.chem.wisc.edu/Groups'. On MacOS, use the 'Go > Connect to Server' menu item in the Finder, enter the network address, and follow the instructions to connect.

Different Linux environments vary in the user interface to connect. For GNOME on Ubuntu, the file browser window has an '+ Other Locations' option in the sidebar, which brings up a 'Connect to Server' option, where you can enter the above network address.