BooM-net

Introduction
Connecting to Webdisk
Using Webdisk
Administering Permissions and Sharing Files
Accessing Webdisk with a Web Browser
Accessing Webdisk with SFTP

Introduction

Webdisk is a service that allows you to store files on an IT server so that they are easily accessible from any computer connected to the Internet.

Webdisk uses WebDAV (World Wide Web Distributed Authoring and Versioning) technology for file sharing. MacOS X 10.4 (Tiger) supports secure access to WebDAV servers.

For MacOS X 10.3 and earlier, see Accessing Webdisk with Goliath.

Connecting to Webdisk

To connect to Webdisk with MacOS X 10.4 (Tiger):

• Start MacOS X
• Under Go on the menu bar, select Connect to Server
• In the "Server Address" field, type: https://webdisk.ucalgary.ca/~username
(For example, user "dcherry@ucalgary.ca" would type "https://webdisk.ucalgary.ca/~dcherry") (Note the "s" in "https://")

• Click Connect button
• In the "WebDAV Authentication" window, enter your IT username and password.
  
  
  

• Click OK
  
  

Your Webdisk space icon will then appear on the Desktop like any other disk or network drive. Double-click the icon to open it.

The public_html folder is created in your Webdisk space by default.

Using Webdisk

Webdisk is like a virtual hard disk. You can copy, move, or delete files to and from Webdisk like any other storage device. However unlike a hard disk, Webdisk also allows you to access those files from another computer or share them with others anywhere on the Internet.

To create a folder:

• Under File on the menu bar, select New Folder
  
  

An "untitled folder" will then appear in your Webdisk space.

File storage on Webdisk is currently limited to a maximum of 50MB per user. The Webdisk server is backed up once per day. If you inadvertently delete a file or want one retrieved from backup, contact the IT Support Centre (220-5555; itsupport@ucalgary.ca). There is a fee of $20 for file and folder restores.

Your Webdisk space will remain available as long as you have a valid IT account. You can store any type of file on your Webdisk space. However, inappropriate materials (such as viruses, pornography, pirated music, and illegal software) are not allowed as outlined under "Student Misconduct" in the University's Calendar and IT's Computing and Networking Policies.

Administering Permissions and Sharing Files

To make your files, folders, or webpages accessable to others, you need to set the correct permissions. By assigning write permission for example, you can allow others to edit existing files or even upload their own files to your Webdisk space.

For instructions on how to share folders on Webdisk, see: Webdisk Sharing

To administer other permissions to files and folders in your Webdisk space, go to the IT Utilities webpage and click the Webdisk sharing utility link.

Quitting Webdisk

To quit Webdisk:

• Drag the Webdisk icon on the Desktop to the Trash.
  

You are not longer connected to your Webdisk.

Accessing Webdisk with a Web Browser

You can also use a web browser such as Netscape, Mozilla, or Safari to access your Webdisk (Note: Internet Explorer will NOT work with Webdisk). However, with a web browser you can only view and download Webdisk files. To upload files and create folders, you will need to connect with MacOS X (Tiger).

To connect to your Webdisk with a web browser:

• Start a web browser (except Internet Explorer).
• In the "Location bar", type: https://webdisk.ucalgary.ca/~username
  (where the username is your abbreviated IT username)(Note: the "s" in "http")
• In the login box, enter your abbreviated IT username and password.
• Click Log In button.
  

Your Webdisk window will then appear in the web browser. You can now view and download files. When finished, quit the browser to close your Webdisk connection.