Cool

Whether you're about to start using WebDAV because of the Case Web server upgrade, or you're just looking for a more secure protocol than FTP, you may have heard that it can be tricky to use on Windows XP or Vista. WebDrive, available to Case faculty, staff and students on the software center, simplifies the process. Those of you in the habit of using stand-alone clients like WS_FTP for transferring files will find this a convenient and easy-to-use alternative.

If, like me, you develop sites on multiple servers, running different prototocols, you'll also be happy to know that WebDrive supports many of the more popular protocols including:

• FTP
• WebDav
• SFTP
• GroupDrive^®
• FrontPage^®
• Amazon-S3^®

Where in the past I've been using WS_FTP for sites using FTP and WinSCP for sites using SFTP, I can now use WebDrive for both those and WebDAV, conveniently keeping all of my accounts in one place.

Getting started with WebDrive

Web maintainers at Case can download WebDrive from the software center. After downloading the program you will be e-mailed a registration code. Non-case users may download a trial copy of the program from the manufacturer, South River Technologies. After downloading the program simply double click on it to start the installation process and paste in the registration code you've been provided at the appropriate prompt. Once the program has been installed you can begin defining your site(s).

Configuring sites on WebDrive

Configuring sites on WebDrive is a simple process, similar to what you've done in the past to define sites on WS_FTP or Dreamweaver. The following steps will guide you through the process—as also shown in the animation below.

1. Select WebDrive from the Windows program menu.
2. In the configuration box click on "new site" to begin using the site wizard.
3. Type in the name of the site. This is purely for your reference, so name it anything that aptly describes the site. Click Next.
4. From the scrolldown menu select the protocol you will be using for this account. For the Case Web server this will be WebDAV, but for other accounts you may use FTP, SFTP or whatever that server requires. Click Next.
5. Enter the url for your server. On the new Case server that will be: https://www.case.edu:8000/<your network id>/<your group's Aurora account name>. (Don't type the angle brackets, you want an address that looks something like https://www.case.edu:8000/xyz67/departmentx.)
6. Check the box marked "Connect securely" then click Next.
7. Choose a drive letter that you would like to assign to this account. This will map the account to that drive so you should pick a letter that is not already in use by your computer's other drives. Click Next.
8. Enter your account information. For Case users this is your Case user ID and password, not the Web account name and password you have used in the past. Click Next.
9. Check "Connect to site now" and click the Finish button.
10. A window will open showing all of the files on your site.
11. You may now edit those files directly, or open the directory in which you store the local copy of your site to copy files back and forth. I would recommend that you continue to edit locally, then drag the files to the site when ready.

Once your site has been defined you may connect to again in the future by choosing it from the site list is WebDrive and clicking connect. To add additional sites simply repeat the process described above. Additional information on connecting via WebDAV is available on the Case Wiki.

WebDAV programs and resources for Windows

To learn more about using WebDAV with Windows XP or Vista, visit the following sites.

• Accessing a shared (WebDAV) webfolder from Windows XP or 2000
• Using WebDAV with IIS
• Uploading files to Resources using WebDAV with Windows XP or Vista
• Web Folders/WebDAV Support
• WebDrive User's Guide

In my next and final article on WebDAV I'll walk you through the procedures to connect using Dreamweaver.