Use WebDAV for remote personal storage

by Vincent Danen | Mar 05, 2007 8:00:00 AM

Tags: OPEN SOURCE, Vincent Danen, WebDAV, server, storage, Linux Tips Newsletter

Takeaway: If you want the convenience of having access to your files even when you're away from home, but you don't want to store them on someone else's server, here's a quick tip from Vincent Danen on how to use WebDAV for your remote personal storage.

The popularity of off-site file storage continues to grow, but some people aren't comfortable with storing sensitive information on a server over which they have no control. One of the big bonuses of these off-site storage areas is that they allow users access to their files even when they're not at home. However, if you are still uncomfortable with the idea of storing files on someone else's server, there is an alternative method that gives you the same easy accessibility. With some planning, a dynamic DNS hostname, appropriate firewall rules, and a 24/7 Web server running at home, you can store your files on your own server and ensure access to them, no matter where you are.

With nothing more than Apache and the WebDAV protocol, you can share files securely over the Internet. Make sure you wrap up the HTTP connection with SSL to ensure security and privacy. A simple Apache configuration directive to enable WebDAV would look like:

Alias /files /srv/files

<Directory /srv/files>

��� Dav On

��� Options +Indexes

��� AuthType Basic

��� AuthName "WebDAV"

��� AuthUserFile /etc/dav.passwd

��� require user joe

</Directory>

Create the user's password by using htpasswd:

# htpasswd -c -m /etc/dav.passwd joe

Make sure you have the mod_dav module for Apache installed and loaded; most distributions would name the package either httpd-mod_dav or apache-mod_dav. Once this is done, restart the Web server.

Some programs can treat a WebDAV folder as a filesystem, such as the Mac OS X Finder or Konqueror; simply connect to the share using https://myhost.dyndns.org/files and provide your username and password. Because HTTP is the transport, you can use any browser to connect to and download your files to the system you're on.

By using WebDAV, you can have free, instant, and secure access to your files anywhere you have a network connection with less hassle and cost than many other alternatives.

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