From 9ed9ef763bae8fa4053b8636b7a987ebf7649d2e Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: Josh Richards Date: Wed, 24 May 2023 11:50:51 -0400 Subject: [PATCH] Modernize user facing WebDAV doc overview * Try to make it more approachable * Preparation and baby steps towards some modernizing * Boost recommendation for app password use when using third-party WebDAV clients[1] [1] https://github.com/nextcloud/server/issues/32729#issuecomment-1548181344 https://github.com/nextcloud/server/issues/32729#issuecomment-1556667151 Signed-off-by: Josh Richards --- user_manual/files/access_webdav.rst | 107 +++++++++++++++++----------- 1 file changed, 65 insertions(+), 42 deletions(-) diff --git a/user_manual/files/access_webdav.rst b/user_manual/files/access_webdav.rst index 508bc5f34..03cfc3719 100644 --- a/user_manual/files/access_webdav.rst +++ b/user_manual/files/access_webdav.rst @@ -4,9 +4,70 @@ Accessing Nextcloud files using WebDAV Nextcloud fully supports the WebDAV protocol, and you can connect and synchronize with your Nextcloud files over WebDAV. In this chapter you will learn how to -connect Linux, macOS, Windows, and mobile devices to your Nextcloud server via -WebDAV. Before we get into configuring WebDAV, let's take a quick look at the -recommended way of connecting client devices to your Nextcloud servers. +connect Linux, macOS, Windows, and mobile devices to your Nextcloud server. + +WebDAV stands for Distributed Authoring and Versioning. It is an HTTP extension +that makes it easy to create, read, and edit files hosted on remote Web servers. With +a WebDAV client you can access your Nextcloud Files (including shares) on Linux, +macOS and Windows in a similar way as any remote network share, and stay synchronized. + +Before we get into configuring WebDAV, let's take a quick look at the +recommended way of connecting client devices to Nextcloud. + +Official Nextcloud desktop and mobile clients +--------------------------------------------- + +The recommended way to synchronize a computer with a Nextcloud server is by +using the `official Nextcloud sync clients `_. +You can configure the client to save files in any local directory and you can choose which +directories on the Nextcloud server to sync with. The client displays the +current connection status and logs all activity, so you always know which +remote files have been downloaded to your PC and you can verify that files +created and updated on your local PC are properly synchronized with the server. + +The recommended way to synchronize Android and Apple iOS devices is by using +the `official Nextcloud mobile apps `_. + +To connect the official Nextcloud apps to a Nextcloud server use the +same URL you use to access Nextcloud from your web browser - e.g.:: + + https://cloud.example.com + + https://cloud.example.com/nextcloud (if Nextcloud is installed in a subdirectory) + +Third-party WebDAV clients +-------------------------- + +If you prefer, you may also connect your computer to your Nextcloud server by +using any third-party client that supports the WebDAV protocol (including what may be +built into your operating system). + +You can also use third-party WebDAV capable apps to connect your mobile +device to Nextcloud. + +When using third-party clients, keep in mind that they may not be optimized for use with +Nextcloud or implement capabilities you consider important to your use case. + +Mobile clients that Nextcloud community members have reported using include: + +* FolderSync (Android) +* WebDAV Navigator Lite (Android) +* WebDAV Navigator (iPhone) + +The URL to use when configuring third-party apps to connect to Nextcloud is a bit lengthier than the one for official clients:: + + https://cloud.example.com/remote.php/dav/files/USERNAME/ + + https://cloud.example.com/nextcloud/remote.php/dav/files/USERNAME/ (if Nextcloud is installed in a subdirectory) + +.. note:: When using a third-party WebDAV client (including your operating system's + built-in client), you should use an app password for login rather than your + regular password. In addition improved security, it `increases performance significantly + _`. To + configure an app password, log into the Nextcloud Web interface, click on the avatar + in the top right and choose *Personal settings*. Then choose *Security* in the left + sidebar and scroll to the very bottom. There you can create an app password (which can + also be revoked in the future without changing your main user password). .. note:: In the following examples, you should replace **example.com/nextcloud** with the URL of your Nextcloud server (omit the directory part if the installation is @@ -14,44 +75,6 @@ recommended way of connecting client devices to your Nextcloud servers. See the WebDAV URL (bottom left in settings) on your Nextcloud. -.. note:: In the following examples, you must use an app-password for login, which you can generate in your security settings. - -Nextcloud Desktop and mobile clients ------------------------------------- - -The recommended way to synchronize a desktop PC with a Nextcloud server is by -using `Nextcloud/ownCloud sync clients `_. You can configure the -client to save files in any local directory and you can choose which -directories on the Nextcloud server to sync with. The client displays the -current connection status and logs all activity, so you always know which -remote files have been downloaded to your PC and you can verify that files -created and updated on your local PC are properly synchronized with the server. - -The recommended way to synchronize Nextcloud server with Android and -Apple iOS devices is by using the `mobile apps -`_. - -To connect your mobile app to a Nextcloud server use the -base URL and folder only:: - - example.com/nextcloud - -In addition to the mobile apps provided by Nextcloud or ownCloud, you can use other apps to -connect to Nextcloud from your mobile device using WebDAV. `WebDAV Navigator`_ is -a good (proprietary) app for `Android devices`_ and `iPhones`_. The URL to use on these is:: - - example.com/nextcloud/remote.php/dav/files/USERNAME/ - -WebDAV configuration --------------------- - -If you prefer, you may also connect your desktop PC to your Nextcloud server by -using the WebDAV protocol rather than using a special client application. Web -Distributed Authoring and Versioning (WebDAV) is a Hypertext Transfer Protocol -(HTTP) extension that makes it easy to create, read, and edit files on Web -servers. With WebDAV you can access your Nextcloud shares on Linux, macOS and -Windows in the same way as any remote network share, and stay synchronized. - Accessing files using Linux --------------------------- @@ -554,6 +577,6 @@ Note: it is recommended to use an app password for the password if you use TOTP, .. _KB2668751: https://web.archive.org/web/20211008025539/https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/topic/you-cannot-download-more-than-50-mb-or-upload-large-files-when-the-upload-takes-longer-than-30-minutes-using-web-client-in-windows-7-8709ae9d-e808-c5a0-95d0-9a7143c50b11 .. _KB2123563: https://support.microsoft.com/kb/2123563 .. _WebDAV Navigator: http://seanashton.net/webdav/ -.. _Android devices: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.schimera.webdavnavlite +.. _WebDAV (Android): https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.schimera.webdavnavlite .. _iPhones: https://itunes.apple.com/app/webdav-navigator/id382551345 .. _BlackBerry devices: http://appworld.blackberry.com/webstore/content/46816