How Tomcat-6 access a remote directory on the network (NetApp)?

Question

I'm using Tomcat6 on my web application which is running on Windows Server 2003 Standard Edition. I want to access static files (PDF) in the remote directory on the disk server (NetApp) through http address from web browser. I tried to use Windows shortcut, but It didn't work. Seems that Tomcat recognize a shortcut as a common file (.lnk) instead of a soft link. How can I access it properly through http in the IE browser?

I can only access the files if the static files are put in the local disk. I tried to use hard link and junction, but they work only on the local disk (on the same computer). I tried to modify context.xml, but it didn't succeed.
Most of the solution in the internet is a soft link from local disk to local disk.

Answer 1

If you have installed Tomcat in the standard way, Tomcat will run as a Service, under a user-id "LocalSystem". In Windows, this special user-id has no access to Windows "network resources" such as network-mapped drives etc..
In order for Tomcat to be able to access such drives, you will need to use a "domain user" to run the Tomcat Service.

Comments

Yes, it's under "Local System".
I think you are right. It's because of the "access" problem. That's why all the errors are related to read/write access to the target directory. Thank you for your clues.