What is WebDAV?

SURFdrive is accessible via the WebDAV protocol. However, inherent to the WebDAV protocol is that all actions go through the server. Every time a user saves or edits a file, he will therefore have to wait until WebDAV has processed this action via the SURFdrive server. Also, if a folder with many files is opened, the WebDAV client has to fetch these files one by one from the server.

With the SURFdrive synchronization client, files are stored locally and then synchronized by the client in the background. So this is faster to use. That is why we always recommend using the SURFdrive client (or in the case of Linux, the ownCloud client).

At the bottom of the next page is an explanation of how to configure WebDAV: https://www.surf.nl/bewaar-en-deel-je-bestanden-veilig-in-de-cloud-met-surfdrive/tutorials-voor-het-gebruik-van#webdav

See also the ownCloud documentation for more information: https://doc.owncloud.org/server/10.0/user_manual/files/access_webdav.html

Set up WebDAV

To be able to use WebDAV in other applications, a set of so-called WebDAV credentials must be created, consisting of a user name and password.

Note: Your WebDAV credentials won't match your institution credentials

Use your institutional username and password to log in to the SURFdrive web interface via the browser or to use the SURFdrive client. These are not the same as the WebDAV passwords created in this tutorial.

Execute the following steps to set up WebdAV:

  1. Click on your name in the top right corner of the SURFdrive web interface and then click on the 'Personal' tab. Then click on the 'General' tab to find your username.
  2. Then click on the 'Security' tab and scroll to 'WebDAV passwords' to create a password.
  3. Choose a name (this can be entered randomly and for identification for your own use, so no one else can see it) and click on 'Create new app password'.
  4. A username and password will then be displayed. Use this in an application and save.


The WebDAV username and password are only displayed at this time. When 'Done' is clicked, they disappear from the screen and can no longer be retrieved. The chosen name will be displayed in the table above.

Remove WebDAV password

If a set of WebDAV username and password is no longer needed (or possibly compromised) then it can be easily removed by clicking the trash can icon in the table. The set is then deleted and immediately unusable.

An unlimited number of WebDAV credentials can be created. Use this ability to use different passwords in different locations for increased security.


Using WebDAV

With your WebDAV credentials you can now access your files via a WebDAV program. To do this, use the following:
- Protocol: WebDAV HTTPS
- Server: https://surfdrive.surf.nl/files/remote.php/nonshib-webdav
- Username: <your SURFdrive username>
- Password: <your WebDAV password>

For example Cyberduck:


Practical examples:

Here we give you some examples of how you can use WebDAV.

  • Upload a file via cURL

Upload your files to SURFdrive via cURL.

Create a folder in SURFdrive

curl -u username:password -X MKCOL "https://surfdrive.surf.nl/files/remote.php/nonshib-webdav/folder_name "

 

Upload a file to a SURFdrive-folder

 curl -u username:password -T filename.extension "https://surfdrive.surf.nl/files/remote.php/nonshib-webdav/folder_name/filename.extension"


If you prefer not to use your username and WebDAV password in a script, you can also upload to SURFdrive via a folder with a public link

1) Create a folder with public link*

2) Check 'allow editing'

3) Check 'password protect' and set password

4) Copy the string at the end of the link

5) Attention! As you can see in the line below, the webdav link is different with a public URL!

File uploaden naar publieke link met wachtwoord

 curl -u public_link_string:password -T filename.extension "https://surfdrive.surf.nl/files/public.php/webdav/"


* After you click on the share icon in the web interface, a 'Sharing' menu will appear on the right where you can check the options mentioned above.


Extra information

If you have any questions about this functionality, please contact your institution's helpdesk in the first place. They will forward your question to us if they cannot give a good answer themselves.
You can also look at the documentation of SURFdrive's supplier, ownCloud: https://doc.owncloud.com/server/10.3/user_manual/files/access_webdav.html#accessing-files-using-curl



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