In Mac OS X, how do I store file server passwords in my Keychain?

To add a file server password to your Keychain in Mac OS X, follow these steps:

Note: The following assumes you are connecting to a file server using Mac OS X's default authentication methods. To save your password for Windows file servers, you must be using Mac OS X 10.2 or later. To save your password for WebDAV file servers, you must be using Mac OS X 10.3 or later.

1. While in the Finder, from the Go menu, select Connect to Server... .
   
   
2. In the Connect to Server window, in the "Server Address:" or "Address:" field, do one of the following:
   
   
   • To access an AppleShare server over TCP/IP, type its domain name or IP address.
   • To access a Windows file server, type smb:// followed by the server's domain name or IP address.
   • To access a WebDAV file server, type http:// followed by the server's domain name or IP address.
   
   
3. Click Connect.
   
   
4. Enter your username and password, then do one of the following:
   
   
   • If you are connecting to an AppleShare server, click the Options... button. In the dialog box that opens, place a check beside Add Password to Keychain, then click OK.
   • If you are connecting to a Windows or WebDAV server, click the checkbox next to Remember password (add to keychain) or Add to Keychain.
   
   
5. Click Connect.

If you access a file server often, you may wish to add it to your Favorites list. In OS X 10.3.x, this list of favorite servers is accessible through the Connect to Server window. In OS X 10.2.x and earlier, the list is available in your Favorites folder.

To save the server as a Favorite, follow the appropriate steps below:

OS X 10.3.x and later

1. While in the Finder, from the Go menu, select Connect to Server... .
   
   
2. In the Connect to Server window, under "Server Address:", enter the name or IP number of the server. Alternatively, select the server from the list of recent servers by clicking the button with the small downward-pointing triangle.
   
   
3. Click the + (plus sign) next to the Server Address:" field. The server should appear in the "Favorite Servers:" field below.
   
   
4. Thereafter, simply click the server's name in the "Favorite Servers:" field, then click Connect. OS X will supply both the username and password you specified in the steps above. Click Connect again to complete the connection.

OS X 10.2.x and earlier

While you have the server mounted on the desktop, you may add it to your Favorites. To do this, highlight the server's icon, and from the File menu, select Add to Favorites. Thereafter, if the Keychain is unlocked, you may click the server's icon in your Favorites and it will mount without requiring you to re-enter your password.