The Citrix system connects directly to three key storage locations: the Academic Server, the Employee Storage Server (ESS), and the Student Storage Server (SSS). When using applications through Citrix, you can access files stored on these servers—as well as on your local computer—without needing a VPN connection.
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The Academic Server (typically mapped as the K:\ drive) is used by instructors to share course materials with entire classes.
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The ESS/SSS (mapped as the H:\ drive or labeled with your email ID) provides secure personal storage for faculty, staff, and students.
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Your local computer appears as the C:\ drive within Citrix applications.
To navigate files effectively within Citrix, it's important to recognize the different storage locations available to you:
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Your local computer appears as the C:\ drive.
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Your personal network storage—either the Employee Storage Server (ESS) or Student Storage Server (SSS)—is typically labeled with your email ID, or shown as the H:\ drive under Network Locations.
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The Academic Server, used for sharing course materials, is mapped as the K:\ drive when accessed through Citrix applications.
Below are instruction videos for Mac and Windows users. Also, the table and figure below describe the drive locations in detail. You can also access the ESS/SSS and the Academic Server outside the Citrix system. To access ESS/SSS outside the Citrix system (i.e., using Finder or File Explorer), map the network drive with a VPN (submit the VPN request form if this is your first time) or use My Hamilton. To access the Academic Server outside the Citrix system, map the network drive with a VPN. You can find the instructions from the table below.
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“your Hamilton ID\Citrix\Documents” (under your ESS/SSS) is the default working directory for the apps running through Citrix. If you saved your file while using an app but cannot find its location, check this location.
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For the files shared on Blackboard or Google Drive, download the files to your local drive first, and follow the instructions for accessing the files saved on your local drive.
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Below is a screen shot of when a user selects File > Open > This PC from Stata and SPSS drop-down menus. Note that the Documents and Downloads folders on the left pane are on ESS/SSS, and they are different from the ones on your local drive.
Instruction Videos
Below are four examples of how to open a file from different platforms (Mac and Windows) and different apps (Stata and SPSS) with instructional videos. Every app has its own way of opening files. However, the key to file browsing is to understand where your files are located, so the instructions below broadly speak to the other apps offered through Citrix.
Accessing Files from Stata Using a Mac:
Video: How to Access Files from Stata Using a Mac
To open a Stata data set (stored on any drive or server), click the folder icon on the upper-left corner of the screen.
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To access the files stored on the Academic Server, click This PC on the left, and double-click Academic Server (K:) under Network Locations.
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The default working directory is your Hamilton ID\Citrix\Documents which is located under your ESS/SSS.
Accessing files from Stata Using a Windows PC:
Below is the instruction video for accessing files from Stata using a Windows PC.
How to Access Files from Stata Using a Windows PC
To open a Stata data set (stored on any drive or server), click the folder icon on the upper-left corner of the screen.
- If you see a security warning pop-up while using statistical software through Citrix, select Permit Use.
- The default working directory is your Hamilton ID\Citrix\Documents which is under your ESS/SSS.
Accessing Files from SPSS Using a Mac:
Below is the instruction video for accessing files from SPSS using a Mac.
How to Access Files from SPSS Using a Mac
To open an SPSS data set (stored on any drive or server), click the folder icon on the upper-left corner of the screen (or File > Open > Data).
- If you see the following pop-up window, select Read & Write.
- To access the files stored on your ESS/SSS, expand the drop-down menu, and click on the drive named after your Hamilton ID.
- To access the files stored on the Academic Server, expand the drop-down menu, and select Academic Server (K:).
- The default working directory is your Hamilton ID\Citrix\Documents which is under your ESS/SSS.
Accessing Files from SPSS Using a Windows PC:
Below is the instruction video for accessing files from SPSS using a Windows PC.
How to Access Files from SPSS Using a Windows PC
To open an SPSS data set (stored on any drive or server), click the folder icon on the upper-left corner of the screen (or File > Open > Data).
- If you see the following pop-up window, select Permit all access.
- To access the files stored on your ESS/SSS, expand the drop-down menu, and click on the drive named after your Hamilton ID.
- To access the files stored on the Academic Server, expand the drop-down menu, and select Academic Server (K:).
- The default working directory is your Hamilton ID\Citrix\Documents which is under your ESS/SSS.
More information
If you have any questions about using Citrix, review the Citrix FAQ first, then contact the Help Desk (helpdesk@hamilton.edu, 315-859-4181, or using this form).