Connect directory tool to an ip address with credentials

Question

Hello,

I need to connect the Directory tool to a network resource so that I can query all the files. The network resource address looks like this.

10.24.86.113\Data

This connection requires credentials (user and pwd).

I can do this with the Python tool and calling a system command "Net Use" (no mapped drives). My company IT folks are frowning upon this.

How do I connect to a network resource and pass the credentials?

Thanks,

Chuck

cbolin · Answer

Hi David,

The problem is using "net use z:" or any drive letter on the Atleryx Server. The server runs on Windows and has its own mapping drives implementation. So this was not permitted by policy. I am not allowed to do anything other than upload workflows, run, and schedule.

Because the Python script runs daily and automatically on the server, I still needed to connect to the IP address. I investigated the "net use" further and discovered I did not have to reference a drive alias. In this case, instead of mapping a drive, I could mount the resource (or some language like that). This works with Python.

My question pertains to existing Alteryx tools, without writing Python code. I'm looking for a tool that allows me to mount a resource with an IP address and folder, using a user/pwd. I'm hoping there is a tool I can drag to the canvas, configure the IP address, user, pwd. I'm assuming it doesn't exist.

Our company Alteryx guys made the comment that Alteryx was for business and not production lines. By this they meant that only production lines would use IP addresses. IDK I'm still learning.

Regards,

Chuck

DavidSta · Answer

Hi @cbolin,

on Windows, you cannot put credentials in UNC paths. You must provide them using

net use

PS: It's not required to put this in python code, you can directly use the "Run Command" Tool.

If it's something like Samba or FTP you can try out

smb://user:pass@destination.com/share
ftp://user:pass@destination.com/share

Best regards,

David