Using WebDAV

WebDAV means "Web-based Distributed Authoring and Versioning;" it is an open standard to transfer files online. OLAT supports this protocol and thus helps you to easily transfer files from your computer to OLAT folders.

Advantages of WebDAV

Without WebDAV it is only possible to upload files in OLAT by means of ordinary upload forms. You can either select each single file separately or several zipped files at once. With WebDAV you can use the Drag-and-Drop option on your computer (e.g. via the Windows Explorer) and copy single files as well as entire directories into OLAT folders.

WebDAV Compatible OLAT Folders

Via WebDAV you can access the following OLAT folders:

  • Personal folder
  • Folders of project groups, learning groups, right groups
  • Storage folders of courses (course owners only)
  • Resource folders (resource folder owners only)

Requirements

In order to get access to a folder in OLAT via WebDAV you need:

  • WebDAV link: WebDAV address of OLAT server (as indicated below, WebDAV compatible folders),
  • Your OLAT user name,
  • Your OLAT/WebDAV password.
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You can set your WebDAV password on your homepage, section "Settings." Just select the link "Settings" before clicking on the button "Set password" in the tab "WebDAV." If you already have an OLAT password you can use this one to access WebDAV.

WebDAV Connection Setup

Windows XP

  1. Open the network environment on your computer.
  2. Select "Add network resource." A wizard will be opened.
  3. Click on "Next."
  4. Double-click on "Select other network resource."
  5. Indicate your WebDAV link as internet or network address.
  6. Click on "Next."
  7. Click on "Yes" to confirm the security advice.
  8. Indicate your OLAT user name and password.
  9. Indicate a name for that link or accept the suggested one.
  10. Click on "Finish."

Windows Vista

  1. Click on "Computer" in the start menu.
  2. Click on "Assign network drive" in the menu bar (via "Further commands").
  3. Select at the bottom the option "Connecting to website."
  4. Click on "Next."
  5. Check the option "Select user defined network source."
  6. Click on "Next."
  7. Indicate your WebDAV link as internet or network address.
  8. Click on "Next."
  9. Indicate your OLAT user name and password.
  10. You can then insert a name for your WebDAV connection.
  11. Click on "Finish."
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If you should get the error message "This folder is invalid" you can download the "Software Update for Web Folders" from Microsoft and execute it on your computer. Now you should no longer get that error message.

Windows 7

  1. Click on "Computer" in the start menu.
  2. In the new window click on "Connect to network drive" in the upper menu bar.
  3. At the bottom select the option "Establish connection with a website."
  4. Click on "Next."
  5. Choose the option "Select user-defined network resource."
  6. Click on "Next."
  7. Indicate your WebDAV link as Internet or network address.
  8. Click on "Next."
  9. Now provide your OLAT user name and password.
  10. You have also the possibility to choose a name for your WebDAV connection.
  11. Click on "Finish."
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If you should get the error message "This folder is invalid" you can download the "Software Update for Web Folders" from Microsoft and execute it on your computer. Now you should no longer get that error message.

Mac

  1. Open the menu "Go to" in the Finder and then "Connecting to server..." Indicate your WebDAV link.
  2. Provide your OLAT user name and password.
  3. Click on "OK."

Linux

There are three possibilities for Linux users:

  1. KDE: in the Konqueror indicate webdavs:// + user name + @ + WebDAV link. Example: webdavs://jdoe@www.olat.uzh.ch/olat/webdav/.
  2. Gnome: davs:// + user name + @ + WebDAV link. Example: davs://jdoe@www.olat.uzh.ch/olat/webdav/.
  3. FUSE: WebDAV directories can be mounted directly into the file system (also compatible to OSX; for more information please go to the FUSE website.

Folder Structure

If you have setup the connection successfully a directory will be opened on your computer containing the following sub-directories:

  • coursefolders: storage folder of all courses you own. This concerns most and for all users holding author rights. All other users will only see an empty directory.
  • groupfolders: project groups, learning groups, right groups you are enrolled in and have access to corresponding folders.
  • home: both of your personal folders (along with the sub-folders "private" and "public").
  • sharedfolders: All resource folders you own. This concerns most and for all users holding author rights. All other users will find an empty directory.