Difference between mapping a drive and adding a network place

Question

Hi All,

What is the difference(technical) between "Mapping a drive to a drive letter in My Computer" and "Add a network place in My Network places"? Is one better over the other?

I thought both of them are the GUI forms of "NET USE" command, isnt that the case? Often, I am able to connect to map a drive but when doing the same via "Add a network place in My Network places" it gives me an error?

Thanks,

Ashutosh Bhardwaj

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Ashutosh

Answer 1

Hello Ashutosh,

That's an interesting question.

Now that I do think about it, though, I think there is a distinction between the two technologies.

First, mapping a network drive is a very specific process. You are linking a drive letter to a network resource. The overall goal of a drive mapping is to create a convienent way to access subsets of data, share data by group so that people only access that which they need, and manage that data with a set of consistent drive letters across the enterprise. A network drive is also largely limited to a local area network. Few organizations will allow drive mappings outside of thier firewall.

"Add a network to My Network Places" has broader objectives. First you are not limited by drive letters or firewalls. You can sign up for resources via MSN just as easily as you can keep several intranet sharepoint links handy.

Also, shortcuts stored in my network places are created automatically anytime you access a shared network resource (the key word is "shared").  Drive mappings, on the other hand, will only stay connected if you direct them to do so and if you have permissions to access the share/data.

Hope this helps

Thx,

Bob

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thanks, bob

Answer 2

Guess I should have mentioned that I'm running XP Pro SP2.  TCP auto-tuning appears to be for Vista only.  Thanks for replying, though!