WebDAV Connector

Usage

You use the WebDAV connector to connect the INUBIT Process Engine to WebDAV-capable systems.

WebDAV (Web-based Distributed Authoring and Versioning) is an extension to the HTTP protocol that allows several authors to collaboratively change and manage resources on remote web servers.

Resource

Resources are the files managed on the WebDAV server. Each resource comprises a number of properties (XML- formatted properties) that can be requested and edited by using WebDAV methods.
Collection

Directories in the file system of the WebDAV server are the so-called collections. Each collection can contain several resources and sub-collections.

WebDAV defines a number of new HTTP methods for the different protocol mechanisms. In contrast to HTTP, WebDAV does not use only HTTP header fields to assign additional parameters to requests and responses. Furthermore, it can transmit specific parameters in the content body of a request, too.

Format of input and output messages

The format of the input and output messages depends on the WebDAV method that is used and the requirements of the WebDAV-capable target system.

Dialog WebDAV Connector Configuration

Dialog WebDAV Connector

In this dialog, you can configure the connection to WebDAV enabled systems.

Settings

URL

URL of the WebDAV-capable web server.
SSL (button)

Refer to Dialog SSL Configuration
Method

For information on all WebDAV methods refer to http://www.webdav.org/specs/. Enter a method’s name or select a WebDAV method from the list:
- COPY: Copies a resource, its name is specified as URI within the request.
- GET: Requests a file.
- POST: Sends the request body to the server and creates a resource with the name which is defined in the URI of the request.
- PUT: Creates a new resource with the name which is given in the request.
- MOVE: Moves a resource, its name is given as URI within the request.
- DELETE: Deletes the collection or resource, whose name is given in the request.
- MKCOL: Creates a new collection with the name given in the request.
- PROPFIND: Retrieves the XML-based properties of a resource and the directory structure of the remote system.
- PROPPATCH: Changes and deletes multiple properties of a resource in a single atomic act.
- LOCK: Sets a lock on a resource or a collection, so that it cannot be edited by other authors and thus be edited exclusively.
  
  If the request was successful the client receives a lock token, which must be produced in order to remove the lock.
- UNLOCK: Removes a lock from a resource or collection, so that it can be edited by other authors again.
- SEARCH: Initiates a search on the WebDAV server. The actual object of the search is defined in the body of the request.
  
  For methods as for example DELETE, which do not return any values, a status response is created, e.g.
  <?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?> <WebDAV version="1.0"> <StatusCode>200</StatusCode> <StatusText>OK</StatusText> </WebDAV>
Transfer the input message

If selected, the input message is transferred to the WebDAV server in addition to the request.
Enable automatic HTTP redirection

If selected, automatic HTTP redirection is activated.

Request header/value table

Additional information can be sent in the request header in the form of resource properties.

Content-type: The MIME type describes the format of the data that is transferred; e.g. text/xml.
From: E-mail address of the sender of the request
Accept: Data formats and preferences of the user of the data. Contains a list of the data and display formats.

To define a variable, open the table’s context menu then select Add. To enter the value of the variables, double-click in the Value column.

Authentication

Method: Select one of the two methods.
- Basic: If this option is selected, the WebDAV server requests the username and password; both are sent unencrypted.
- NT: Use this method if the WebDAV server is running on an NT system. This authentication scheme is a Microsoft standard and allows a single sign-on to web servers using the authentication credential of the Windows user login.
  
  If you select this method you must also specify the domain you want to login to.
  
  The WebDAV Connector supports NTLM V2 authentication, too. To use NTLM V2 authentication configure NTLM V2 on the WebDAV web server. To access the WebDAV web server configure the URL, user name, password, and domain of the WebDAV web server below.
Use static login data
- Username/Password: The user access data you want to use to login to the WebDAV server. The user must have access rights appropriate to the selected WebDAV method.
Select from Credentials Manager

For authentication, you can also use credentials managed by the Credentials Manager.

Refer to Using the Credentials Manager for Authentication
Domain: This option is only enabled if you have selected the NT method. Specifies the name of the domain you want to login to.

Error handling

Convert HTTP status code >= 300 into XML

If selected, all HTTP status codes >=300 are converted into XML.

Connection test

Test connection

For testing whether the connection can be successfully established using your configuration.

Permissions

Anonymous readable

WebDAV Connector provides option "Anonymous Readable" checkbox feature when the connector used to write files into repository.

This feature is available only when WebDAVConnector writes files into repository.

So when "Anonymous readable" checkbox is ticked and created file into repository, Then that respective file can be read by all users.

Request and response headers

You can define request and response headers when creating and editing a WebDAV Connector.

Refer to Defining and Displaying Headers