Connecting Ubuntu to a WebDAV net share (Nautilus)
This guide was carried out on Ubuntu 9.10 (Karmic Koala) and should also be applicable for any OS running Gnome
WebDAV can be viewed as a network filesystem suitable for the Internet. It is an open, IETF proposed standard.
To connect Ubuntu to a WebDAV share you will need to know the following infomation:
- The server address where the WebDAV is (this will most likely be a sub domain ie. dav.example.com).
- The folder (directory) name you wish to access.
- Whether you should connect securely (over https) or not.
- The port number (if it is not running on a default http or https connection).
- Any user names and passwords necessary to view/edit files contained in the share.
Once you have this information handy, go to Places > Connect to Server… and select the Service type Secure WebDAV (HTTPS) or WebDAV (HTTP) – depending on whether you connect to your WebDAV share securely or not.
Enter the server name in the ‘Server’ field, directory in the ‘Folder’ field and your login name after ‘User Name’.
Add a bookmark if you like (this will put a shortcut tothe WebDAV share under the ‘Places’ menu) then click on connect. You will be prompted for your password if you need one.
That’s it!
Possible problems:
- There seems to be a bug in Nautilus 2.28.1 which effects the creation and renaming of any files within a WebDAV share.
If you attempt to create a file or folder with a name other than the default name, or if you rename a file/folder you may get an error like this:
The item could not be renamed. Sorry could not rename "untitled folder" to "New name": Bad Request.
After clicking ‘OK’, if you refresh the window by clicking on the ‘Reload’ button…
You will see that the renaming/creation did actually take place. As annoying as this bug is, it won’t actually stop you from using the WebDav share, just ‘Reload’ after any file or folder activity.
This Calmblue guide by Simon Bell is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0 UK: England & Wales License
