RDF-Active on Linux

The following instructions will show you how to connect (mount) your Linux computer to the RDF-Active. There may be some differences between Linux desktop environments and instructions for some of the most common one's have been provided here.

You must be connected to either the College network or otherwise following the advice on accessing services remotely before you can connect to the RDF.

Required Packages

Depending on how you wish to connect to the RDF-Active (e.g. command-line or via desktop file browser) you might find it necessary to install additional packages before you are able to use your connection method.

Command-line mount.cifs

These days the packages to mount SMB exports using mount.cifs aren't installed by default so they may need to be installed before the RDF-Active can be mounted; as an example, if you see the "no route to host" error message after running a mount.cifs command, it most likely means the required packages aren't installed.

On Ubuntu and Mint you can install support for mount.cifs by running:

sudo apt-get install cifs-utils

Gnome Files (Nautilus)

Gnome Files relies on the Gnome Virtual File System (GVFS) to connect to SMB end points such as the RDF-Active. On Ubuntu and Mint you can provide support for this by making sure the gvfs-backend package is installed, while on RHEL-based operating systems you can install the gvfs-smb package.

Examples

Gnome (Ubuntu 24.04)

  • Open the file manager (Files) by clicking on the icon
  • Click + Other Locations on the side pane
  • Enter the RDF-Active path you wish to connect in the Server Address box:
    • For the "base" path of the RDF-Active smb://rdf-active.ic.ac.uk/research/
    • Or read the Where are my files section to map a specific storage allocation.
  • Select Registered User
  • Enter your Imperial username
  • Enter ic.ac.uk in Domain
  • Enter your Imperial Password
  • Click Connect

Cinnamon (Mint 22.2)

  • Open the file manager (Files) by clicking the icon
  • From the File menu, click Connect to Server..
  • In the window that appears, use the menu to change the Type to Windows share.
  • Enter the following connection details:
    • Server: rdf-active.ic.ac.uk
    • Share: research
    • Folder: Either leave as "/" for the base of the file system or read the Where are my files section to map a specific storage allocation.
    • Domain Name: Enter ic.ac.uk
    • User name and Password: Enter your Imperial username and password.
  • Click Connect