Using Windows XP or Vista, how do I use WebDAV to upload files to my Oncourse CL Resources?

View feature demonstrations relevant to this topic.

On this page:

• Introduction
• Using Windows Vista
• Using Windows XP

Introduction

WebDAV stands for "Web-based Distributed Authoring and Versioning". It is a set of extensions to the HTTP protocol that lets users collaboratively edit and manage files on a remote web server.

Note: WebDAV is not available for use with Guest accounts.

Before you set up WebDAV, at least one object (i.e., file or folder) must be in the destination Resources tool. For help, see Resources.

Saving files directly to WebDAV (i.e., from within an application, such as Word, Excel, or Internet Explorer) does not work reliably. For best results, save the file to your computer first, and then upload it to your site.

Note: Filenames that include certain characters cannot be accepted. For a list of unsupported characters, see Unsupported characters.

The quota for a course site or project site is 1GB, and the limit for individual files is 200MB unless you use WebDAV. To request a larger quota for your site, see What are the default disk quotas for UITS accounts, and how do I request an increase?

Using Windows Vista

Note: Connecting to your site's Resources using WebDAV on a computer running Windows Vista does not work reliably. Developers are currently investigating this issue. However, Microsoft has a software update available that may help correct connection problems for some users. For information about the update and how to download it, see article 907306 in Microsoft's knowledge base.

You can search Microsoft's knowledge base at:

To add a shortcut to your Windows Vista computer that allows you to upload and access files in Resources using WebDAV:

1. Using the Windows Classic View, on the Desktop, double-click Computer.
   
   
2. Click Map Network Drive.
   
   
3. On the Map Network Drive screen, click Connect to a Web site that you can use to store your documents and pictures, and then click Next.
   
   
4. Click Choose a custom network location, and then click Next.
   
   
5. In the "Internet or network address" field, enter a URL that points to the destination Resources tool, and then click Next.
   
   • To connect to a site's Resources, enter the following URL, replacing siteID with the appropriate siteID: https://oncourse.iu.edu/dav/siteID/
   • To connect to your personal Resources (in My Workspace), enter one of the following URLs (both will work), replacing username with your Indiana University Network ID username: https://oncourse.iu.edu/dav/user/username https://oncourse.iu.edu/dav/~username

   Alternatively, to find the URL you need, go to Resources in the site you want to connect to (or in My Workspace), and click Upload-Download Multiple Resources. The URL that appears on that page will point to the relevant Resources tool.

   Note: For instructions on finding your siteID, see Determining your site's siteID.

6. When prompted, enter your Network ID.

You should now be able to drag and drop files and folders between your computer and the sites to which you just connected. To open a folder, right-click it and choose Explore or Open. To delete an item, right-click it and select Delete.

If you have difficulty dragging and dropping, right-click the file or folder you want to copy, and choose Copy. Then right-click the directory you want to put it in, and choose Paste.

You may need to refresh your browser for the file to appear in your directory in Resources.

Using Windows XP

In Windows XP, you can use the Add Network Place Wizard or Internet Explorer to upload and access your files via WebDAV, if you have the required permissions.

Using the Add Network Place Wizard

To use the Add Network Place Wizard to add a shortcut to your computer that allows you to upload and access files in Resources using WebDAV:

1. On the desktop, double-click My Network Places.
   
   
2. In the "Network Tasks" pane, click Add a network place.
   
   
3. On the welcome screen, click Next.
   
   
4. Select Choose another network location, and then click Next.
   
   
5. In the "Internet or network address:" field, enter a URL that points to the destination Resources tool.
   
   • To connect to a site's Resources, enter the following URL, replacing siteID with the appropriate siteID: https://oncourse.iu.edu/dav/siteID/
   • To connect to your personal Resources (in My Workspace), enter one of the following URLs (both will work), replacing username with your Indiana University Network ID username: https://oncourse.iu.edu/dav/user/username https://oncourse.iu.edu/dav/~username

   Alternatively, to find the URL you need, go to Resources in the site you want to connect to (or in My Workspace), and click Upload-Download Multiple Resources. The URL that appears on that page will point to the relevant Resources tool.

   Note: For instructions on finding your siteID, see Determining your site's siteID.

6. When prompted, enter your Network ID.

You may now drag and drop files and folders between your computer and the sites to which you just connected. However, you cannot delete items from a site by dragging them to the Recycle Bin on your desktop. To delete an item, right-click it and select Delete.

Using Internet Explorer

Using Internet Explorer, you can upload and access your files via WebDAV. To do so:

1. In Internet Explorer, from the File menu, select Open... .
   
   
2. In the window that appears, click the checkbox next to Open as Web folder. In the "Open:" field, enter the URL that points to the destination Resources tool, and click OK.
   
   • To connect to a site's Resources, enter the following URL, replacing siteID with the appropriate siteID: https://oncourse.iu.edu/dav/siteID/
   • To connect to your personal Resources (in My Workspace), enter one of the following URLs (both will work), replacing username with your Indiana University Network ID username: https://oncourse.iu.edu/dav/user/username https://oncourse.iu.edu/dav/~username

   Alternatively, to find the URL you need, go to Resources in the site you want to connect to (or in My Workspace), and click Upload-Download Multiple Resources. The URL that appears on that page will point to the relevant Resources tool.

   Note: For instructions on finding your siteID, see Determining your site's siteID.

3. When prompted, enter your Network ID.

The contents of the destination folder will appear in a window where you can open individual files, browse to other folders on your computer, and transfer files between folders.

When you're finished, exit Internet Explorer to close your connection.

Feature demonstrations

For more information about using WebDAV to drag and drop files from your computer into Resources, view these feature demonstrations:

• Using drag and drop for a course site
  
  (with audio)
• Using drag and drop for My Workspace
  
  (with audio)

Also see:

• File storage in Oncourse CL
• Using Oncourse CL Resources, how do I rename a file?
• Using Oncourse CL Resources, how do I find the URL of an item so that I can share it with others?
• How do I use WebDAV to upload files to my Oncourse CL Drop Box?