Using WebDAV

WebDAV, according to WebDAV.org, "stands for "Web-based Distributed Authoring and Versioning". It is a set of extensions to the HTTP protocol which allows users to collaboratively edit and manage files on remote web servers." WebDAV provides an easy way to manipulate remote files. CyVerse has added support for WebDAV to the Data Store. This means a users can access their home and public folders in the CyVerse Data Store from their local computers use web browsers and other WebDAV enabled applications like common operating system file managers. With WebDAV, a user can copy files between her local computer and the Data Store as easily as if she were copying them between two folders on her local computer.

Limitations

WebDAV works best for small files or small collections of files. There is no hard size limit for files, but it is recommended to not work with files over 1 GiB in size. However, 10 GiB files have been downloaded from the CyVerse WebDAV service using a web browser with decent performance. The iCommands still out perform WebDAV.  For better ways to download large files or large sets of files, please see Data Store Intro.

Mac setup (needs updating)

1. Open a Finder window.
2. Click the Go menu at the top left and then click Connect to Server:
   
   1. In the Server Address field, enter https://data.iplantcollaborative.org.
   2. Enter your iPlant username and password and click Connect.
   3. If you want to have your username and password saved and automatically used the next time you connect to the iPlant Data Store using WebDAV, click Remember this password in my keychain.
   4. Click Connect.

Once connected, the iPlant Data Store appears as a folder under the Shared section in Finder and you may now interact with it as if it is a local or network storage device.

Windows setup

Windows 10 Setup

1. Open File Explorer (file and folder browser)
2. Right click on "This PC"
3. Click on "Map network drive..."
4. In the "What network folder would you like to map?" window, click on "Connect to a Web site that you can use to store your documents and pictures."
   
5. In the "Welcome to the Add Network Location Wizard", click Next button
   
6. In the "Where do you want to create this network location", click on "Choose a custom network location"
   
7. In the "Specify the location of your website", enter the webdav url to the folder. Then click next. Examples:
   
   
   1. If you want your home folder and your username is "myusername", use https://data.cyverse.org/dav/iplant/home/myusername
   2. If you want a community folder named "myproject", use https://data.cyverse.org/dav/iplant/home/shared/myproject
8. Windows will ask you to authenticate if the folder is restricted. Enter your credentials and check the box "Remember my credentials", if desired. Click "OK"
   
9. In the "What do you want to name this location?", you can click on "Next" to accept the default name or create your own name.
   
10. In the "Completing the Add Network Location Wizard, click on "Finish"
    
11. The folder should automatically open (if you left the checkbox checked). Otherwise, you can find the folder in File Explorer, under the Network icon.
    

Windows 7 Setup

1. Click the Windows logo at the bottom left of the screen to open the Start menu.
2. Click Computer from the list at the right:
   
3. To add a network connection, right-click in the Computer window and then click Add a network location:
   
4. Enter your iRODS information:
   1. Click Choose a custom network location and then click Next.
   2. Enter https://data.iplantcollaborative.org and click Next.
   3. Enter your iPlant username and password.
   4. If you want to have your username and password saved and automatically used the next time you connect to the iPlant Data Store using WebDAV, click Remember my credentials and click OK.

Once connected, the iPlant Data Store appears as a folder in Windows Explorer and you may interact with it as if it is a local or network storage device.

Alternate Windows 7 64-bit setup

This setup circumvents the issues caused by the built-in Microsoft WebDAV Mini Redirector.

1. Go to NetDrive to download and install the NetDrive WebDAV client.
2. Start NetDrive.
3. Click New Site.
4. Enter a name for the connection.
5. Click Server Type and then click WebDAV.
6. In the Site IP or URL field in NetDrive, enter https://data.iplantcollaborative.org.
7. Click the Account field and enter your iPlant username.
8. Click the Password field and enter your iPlant password.
9. Click Advanced.
10. In the Advanced window:
    1. Click Use HTTPS.
    2. Click OK. The port should change to 443.
11. Select a drive letter.
12. (Optional) Click Automatic login when system starts or Automatic login when NetDrive starts.
13. Click Save.
14. Click Connect.

Linux setup

1. Open the File Manager.
2. Go to the File menu and click Connect to server.
3. In the Server field, enter https://data.iplantcollaborative.org.
4. In the Type field, enter Secure WebDAV (HTTPS).
5. Enter your iPlant username and password.
6. If you want to have your username and password saved and automatically used the next time you connect to the iPlant Data Store using WebDAV, click Remember this password.
7. Click Connect.

Once connected, the iPlant Data Store appears as a network drive in File Manager and you may interact with it as if it is a local or network storage device.