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Easier way to share folders...
Authored by: Elander on Jul 24, '02 12:02:09PM

The easiest way I have found to share folders is via WebDAV.

Here is the general method:

Install webmin on your machine (http://www.webmin.org/). It takes about five minutes, including the coffee brake.

Using webmin, load the module "mod_dav" in your Apache server.

Add the folder you want to use as a shared folder as a DAV folder, and set up user privileges for it in webmin. You can create as many new users as you like and also groups. They will only be web users and groups, not unix accounts on your machine.

Start Apache (if it is already running you need to stop it and then start it again for the new settings to take effect).

By using the webserver as authenticator, this saves you the trouble of creating new unix users and meddling with NetInfo Manager. It also makes it real easy to move the whole thing to a new machine if you want to.

You can even use SSL (either with a real certificate or a fake, both will work) so your users can connect via https instead of http.

If the above seems difficult, let me know (preferrably by posting a reply here) and I'll write a more detailed instruction.



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Easier way to share folders...
Authored by: Elander on Jul 24, '02 12:11:59PM

Oops...

I gave the wrong address for webmin, it should be the one below instead:
http://www.webmin.com/

Sorry.



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Easier way to share folders...
Authored by: repro on Jul 25, '02 06:22:03AM

As belonging to the group of inexperienced UNIX user I would like to see a more detailed description for the installation of the webmin method from ELANDER. I am very interested in the https (SSL) and the possibility of windows users also having access.



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Easier way to share folders...
Authored by: Elander on Jul 25, '02 03:41:15PM
Well, it turned out to become a rather lengthy document (about 10k) so I figured robg wouldn't be too pleased if I posted it as a reply.
I put it up on my iDisk instead:
homepage.mac.com/max.elander/FileSharing.html
Before you download it: it takes a while to do all the initial installing and configuring. Particularly if you want to use SSL. When you're done, you will however have a very potent admin application to handle most servers on your computer. You will also have a "remote control" so you can run shell commands from another computer if you want. You can do ANYTHING with webmin!
This means that choosing a good password is essential.
You will also have a very good reason to read the documentation on Apache, especially the part about security. You can find it here; Apache documentation
Beware also that installing webmin doesn't mean you don't have to read the manual for your server applications. You do! So there.

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Screwed up the link to Apaches docs...
Authored by: Elander on Jul 25, '02 03:46:47PM
Here is the correct one: Apache documentation. Sorry.

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RE:Correction
Authored by: timrob on Jul 25, '02 08:18:30PM

In the webdav.rtf file it says:

"3. Make sure that Apache (user=wheel) owns your folder."

The Apache user in OSX is "www" not "wheel". It is probably not a good idea
for it to be in the "wheel" group as root as in that group also.

Tim



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RE:Correction
Authored by: Elander on Jul 26, '02 01:57:44AM

Sorry. I thought I had changed that. I have now though, so the new version should be correct.



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