ETP client-side UNC path recognition of client mapped drives

[smyback]

I've setup an ETP server to index file shares hosted by non-windows file servers via mapped drive letters on the server, which also match the mapped drive letters used by the ETP client machines.

Naturally, when an ETP client connects to the ETP server, the link type C: (drive letter) functions as expected. And this provides results that are meaningful and accessible from an ETP client.

When the link type is changed to \\Server\C (UNC path) the results have root paths like \\ETPServer\X instead of the UNC path of the actual file share being indexed e.g. \\FileServer03\XDriveShare.

I'm aware of ETP client path rewriting, but it would be great to have a solution which automatically provides a valid client-side path in search results for 3rd party file shares indexed by the server.

Suggestion:
If the ETP server was set to index by UNC path, then the client could detect if the same UNC root had already been mapped to a drive on the client, and automatically rewrite link type C: results.

Where long UNC paths (which can also share a common root) are mapped to multiple drive letters, the algorithm could assign the longest matching UNC root to link type C: results to avoid duplicates.

This would eliminate the need for server-side drive mapping (where this is only used for indexing) and automatically cope with situations when clients assign different letters to their mapped drives.

Thank you for your efforts and consideration.

[void]

Thank you for your feedback smyback,

Please consider indexing files on the server as \\server\share

On the Server:

• In Everything, from the Tools menu, click Options.
• Click the NTFS tab on the left.
• Select C:
• Uncheck Include in database.
• Click the Folders tab on the left.
• Click Add....
• Select \\server\share
• Click OK.

Now when clients connect with C: links they will automatically use the \\server\share link.

I will consider automatically mapping to the best matching UNC root.
Thank you for the suggestion.