Frequently
Asked QuestionsManaging Quota Limits on Network Storage
Quota Limits
Default Quota Limits
Determining your Quota Usage
Quota Increases
File Storage Options
Links
Quota Limits
Quota limits are imposed on all network storage: U: drives, Network shared drives, *User (Roaming) Profiles, and Employee Email. These limits have been applied to track usage progression for planning purposes and ensure everyone has equal access to network storage resources. As all VIU users (Faculty, Staff and Students) share these network resources, it is important that everyone makes efficient use of the available space.
*User (Roaming) Profiles - please see our web page on User Profiles
Default Quota Limits
The default quota limits for network storage are as follows:
- Student U: Drive: 200 MB
- Employee Email: 100 MB
- Employee U: Drive: 250 MB
- Network Shares: 250 MB/person
- User (Roaming) Profile: 250 MB
Determining your Quota Usage
Once you have mapped to the share (your U: drive is automatically mapped for you on login), open My Computer and click once on the Drive. In the left hand pane you will see your personal usage for that share (Total and Free space).
Shared Drive Note:
For shared drives this will only display 'your' allotted space on the shared drive, NOT the amount of space being used by other members of your group, or the total size of the share.
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Quota Increases
Students
Please see below for recommendations on Quota Management.Please also see our web page for information on Student Quota Increases
Employees
It is important that you review your space usage before requesting an increase. Use the guidelines listed below. If after reviewing these sections you feel you still require an increase send an email request to Helpdesk (include information about your review).
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File Storage Options
Depending on the types of data that you are storing, how frequently you need to access the data, and the need for producing backups, you have a number of options available.
U: Drive Recommendations
- Active/development files that you use or reference frequently
- Files are backed up by ITS
- No Recycle Bin for U: drive - files deleted are gone*
Shared Drive Recommendations
- Files that are needed for shared group access
- In development or referenced frequently
- Files are backed up by ITS
- No Recycle Bin for items on network shares - files deleted are gone*
C: Drive Recommendations
- Files that do not need to be backed up
- Files that are already backed up to CD
- Files are NOT backed up by ITS
- Deleted items are sent to the Recycle Bin
CD Recommendations
- Unchanging files - i.e. photos
- Files that are needed for occasional reference
- Earlier versions of documents
*Faculty & Staff - If items have been deleted or overwritten in error, contact the IT Helpdesk to recover these items. The Helpdesk will need the following information: name of the file (including file extension or type of file), network location of the file (including all sub-folders), date of the last known good copy of the file.
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Links:
CD/DVD BurningWatershed: an open network storage resource
File Management Basics for Students
Network Storage
Shared Drives
Mapping a Network Drive
Managing your Outlook Email Quota