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Set up a Web Folder to Access UDrive (WebDAV)

With WebDAV (World Wide Web Distributed Authoring and Versioning), you can create a Web folder for UDrive on your computer. This way, you can move files between your computer and your UDrive account by copy/pasting or drag-and-dropping them. No need to upload and download files.
Note: We do not recommend that you create a Web folder for your UDrive on a shared or public computer (e.g., computers in the OIT Computer Classrooms).

Note: Please note the WebDAV/Web Folders function of UDrive will not work with Windows Vista. According to Microsoft, the problem that prevents it from working will be fixed with the release of Windows Vista Service Pack 1, which will be released soon.

On this page:
Windows XP & 2000
Mac OS X Tiger (10.4.x)
Linux Ubuntu
Dreamweaver MX & MX 2004

Windows XP & 2000

If you have a Windows computer, you can set up a Web folder using UDrive's Web folder icon or you can map a network drive. The Web Folder icon will only appear if you are using Internet Explorer (version 5.5 or higher). If you are using a different browser, you'll have to map a network drive to your UDrive account to set up WebDAV.

Method A: Web Folder Icon

Choose this method only if you are using Internet Explorer 5.5 or higher.

  1. Open Internet Explorer. Log on to UDrive with your NetID (OIT Account user name) and UMail password.
  2. In the navigation toolbar (top), click Web Folder. A new, empty browser window will open, named https://yourNetID on udrive.oit.umass.edu.

    Note: The Web Folder icon will only appear in the navigation toolbar if you are using Internet Explorer 5.5 or higher on a Windows computer.

  3. On your desktop, go to Start > My Network Places. Your UDrive folder (named yourNetID on udrive.oit.umass.edu) should appear in the My Network Places window.
  4. To create a shortcut for your UDrive folder, simply copy and paste the folder from the My Network Places window to your desktop. You will be prompted for your NetID (OIT Account user name) and UMail password when you first open this folder.
  5. You can now save, copy/paste, or drag and drop files and folders directly to your Web folder. These files and folders will automatically appear in your UDrive account.

Method B: Create Network Place

  1. Right-click My Network Places (usually available on your desktop or by going to Start > My Network Places), then click Map Network Drive...
  2. In the Map Network Drive window, click Sign up for online storage or connect to a network server. The Add Network Place Wizard window will open. (Windows 2000 users: Click Web folder or FTP site and skip to step 5.)
  3. In the Add Network Place Wizard window, click Next.
  4. In the Where do you want to create this network place? window, under Service providers:, select Choose another network location and click Next.
  5. In the What is the address of this network place? window, in the Internet or network address: field, enter https://udrive.oit.umass.edu/yournetid, then click Next. You will be prompted for your NetID (OIT Account user name) and UMail password.
  6. When you have finished entering your login information, the login window will close, and you will return to the Network Wizard. In the Add Network Place Wizard window, click Next.
  7. In the What do you want to name this place? window, in the Type a name for this network place: field, enter a name for this WebDAV folder (e.g., My UDrive).
  8. Click Next, then Finish.
  9. A connection to your UDrive account will appear under My Network Places. Any file that you copy/paste, move, save, or drag to this folder will appear in your UDrive space.
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Mac OS X Tiger (10.4.x)

You cannot create a Web folder for your UDrive on Mac OS X Jaguar (10.2.x), Panther (10.3.x), or Mac OS 9.x.

  1. In the Finder menu, click Go > Connect to Server… The Connect to Server window will open.
  2. In the Connect to Server window, in the Server Address field, enter https://udrive.oit.umass.edu/yournetid/.
  3. Click Connect. The WebDAV File System Authentication window will open.
  4. In the WebDAV File System Authentication window, in the Name field, enter your NetID (OIT Account user name), and in the Password field, enter your UMail password. Click OK.
  5. Your UDrive folder should now appear on your desktop as UDrive mount. You can now manipulate files and folders on UDrive directly from your computer. Note: Finder may create some extra files in the UDrive mount. Do not delete these files.

Note: Macintosh Advisory

There have been reports of several problems that users of the new UDrive have encountered when trying to use a WebDAV connection to the new UDrive with their Macintosh computers. It seems that the Mactintosh WebDAV client creates excessive delays in the transfer of files between your computer and the new UDrive. If you encounter problems, try the following:

  • Install the latest available updates for your computer. For more information, learn how to install security patches.
  • Use the new UDrive's Web interface to upload your files.

This is a documented problem that has been brought to the attention of both Apple and Xythos (the company that developed the new UDrive software). There should be a solution in the works and we will keep you posted on any updates.

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Linux Ubuntu

  1. Go to Places > Connect to Server.... The Connect to Server window will open.
  2. In the Connect to Server window:
    • From the Service type: drop-down menu, select Secure WebDAV (HTTPS).
    • In the Server: field, type udrive.oit.umass.edu/Your_NetID where Your_NetID is your OIT Account username.
  3. In the User Name: field, enter your NetID.
  4. In the Name to use for connection: field, enter a name for your WebDAV connection folder on your desktop.
  5. Click Connect. Your UDrive WebDAV folder will now appear on your desktop.
  6. On your desktop, double-click your newly-created WebDAV folder. An Authentification Required window will open.
  7. In the Authentification Required window, in the Password: field, enter your UDrive password, then click Connect. Your WebDAV folder will open, showing you the contents of your UDrive account.
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Dreamweaver MX & MX 2004

Because UDrive is a Web-based file storage system, you can also host Web sites in your UDrive space. Use WebDAV to transfer your Web files between your local computer and UDrive.

To create a Local root folder:

  1. Open Dreamweaver and go to Site > Manage Sites....
  2. In the Manage Sites window, click New..., then Site. The Site Definition window will open.
  3. In the Site Definition window, click the Advanced tab.
  4. On the Advanced tab:
    • In the Site name field, enter a name for your Web site.
    • Next to the Local root folder field, click the folder icon, then browse to the directory where you store the local files for this site.
  5. Build and save your Web files in the Local root folder.

To transfer your Web files to UDrive:

  1. On your desktop, open your UDrive WebDAV folder.
  2. In your directory listing, create a new folder (possibly with the same name as your Local root folder). Learn how to create folders.
  3. Drag and drop your Web files from your Local root folder to its corresponding folder on UDrive.
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Need Help?

If you encounter problems, submit an online Help Request.
- or -
Contact the OIT Help Desk at 545-9400.

Last revised January 31, 2007