Can I sync network folder with a Google drive?

The brand new released Google drive allows to sync a folder which resides under My Documents (on Windows systems). However, I would like to sync a folder that resides on a network-mapped drive. Would it be possible please and if yes then how?

Solution 1:

You can choose any folder during the Google Drive install.

Firstly select "Advanced Setup" on the second page of the Getting Started screen.

Then click the "Change" button next to Folder Location

Select any folder you want, including network shares and mapped network drives.

Voila! You have Google Drive on any folder you want.

Solution 2:

If this functionality is not explicitly included (you go into the preferences of Google Drive, add the folder on the networked computer and it does not allow that folder to sync)

You could mirror that folder on your local computer. (Or really simply just install google drive on that network computer, but I would guess that you would not be asking this question if that was an option).

To mirror it locally I would suggest using a version of rsync (do a quick google search to find a bunch of options).

Or use another technique to mirror the contents onto your local machine.

Solution 3:

You can sync a network folder with DropBox. Maybe the same method will work for Google (I haven't tried yet).

1) Log in on the CONSOLE of the file server (that is hosting the network share/folder). 2) Install Google Drive (I installed DropBox). 3) Set the location of the Google Drive to be in a sub-folder of the network share (on the physical drive of the server that you've just installed it on). 4) Use the Google Drive account to share the Google Drive as appropriate. 5) Log off the Console of the server.

Now... Go to any client that's connected to the network share, navigate to the new sub-folder you just created, and place files in it. You'll now see those files on Google Drive.

WHAT I USE THIS FOR: I have all the sales and technical staff using Drop Box, and subscribed to the Network Shared folder. There are two sub-folders, one for Sales and the other for tech staff. I simply place files in their respective folders, and sales has all the sales/marketing brochures, videos, pdf, spreadsheets, etc. And Tech staff has all their stuff separate too.

It works for BOTH iPad, and laptop users! Love It!