Setting up WebDAV Mount Points

Abstract

WebDAV (Web-based Distributed Authoring and Versioning) is an extension to the HTTP protocol which allows you to create, move, copy, and delete resources on a remote web server. In practice, mounting a remote WebDAV repository on your local machine will allow users to modify a remote web server's files simply by modifying files which appear to be local to the local file system.

[Tip]Tip

Browse the WebDAV Resources pages to learn more about this protocol.

Figure 16.13. Managing WebDAV Mounts Points

Managing WebDAV Mounts Points

The first time you launch this tool, only two buttons are available. New allows you to define a new mount point, the other one just Quits the application. After you have defined mount points, they will appear as new buttons at the top of the buttons list. Clicking on a mount point button will get you to the mount point menu (see Figure 16.15, “WebDAV Menu”).

First of all, clicking on New will ask you the URL of the web server (see Figure 16.14, “Specifying the WebDAV Server URL”).

Figure 16.14. Specifying the WebDAV Server URL

Specifying the WebDAV Server URL

Enter the complete URL of the web server, beginning with http:// or https://. Then click OK.

Figure 16.15. WebDAV Menu

WebDAV Menu

You must now decide where the web server files will be accessible from. Select the Mount point option and click OK. There you will be able to choose a local directory or type in your own.

If the server requires authentication, do not forget to fill the username and password fields in the Options dialog. Then all you need to do is to actually mount the remote repository by selecting Mount and clicking OK.

You will now be able to browse and modify files on the local mount point you have defined and the changes will be immediately available on the web server.