x360Sync supports Web Distributed Authoring and Versioning (WebDAV), which is an extension of the HTTP protocol. WebDAV is another way for end users to view and edit files—both personal and through team shares—located in the cloud.
NOTE
For private cloud environments, existing Certificate Authority signed SSL certificates must be modified to allow for WebDAV functionality. For more information, please reference Configuring your x360Sync Server for WebDAV Support.
Benefits
Benefits of using WebDAV include:
- End users do not need to install desktop clients
- Shared files are not stored locally
- Folders and files are accessible through the end users’ native explorer (for example, a mapped drive in Windows explorer)
- Authentication through Active Directory login credentials is supported
- The ability to enable WebDAV for all users of a given organization, or on a user-by-user basis
Limitations and expected behaviors
While WebDAV can provide a number of benefits for an organization, it is important to note that WebDAV is an extension of the HTTP protocol, and is unrelated to the x360Sync system. Some of its limitations and known issues may be not be controlled by the x360Sync support team.
WebDAV and x360Sync’s context menu
When working through WebDAV, end users will not have access to x360Sync’s right-click context menu. Without the right-click context menu, end users will not be able to lock files, create a share link, launch the web portal, or view file revisions from their local machines. This is expected behavior, and is not related to the x360Sync service.
WebDAV and x360Sync’s file locking feature
When using x360Sync’s file locking feature, errors may occur when accessing and saving files through WebDAV. This is an expected behavior, and is due to the fact that file permissions cannot be changed by x360Sync through WebDAV, but will be honored when the file is saved on the server. For example, if User A locks a file through the web portal, and User B accesses the same locked file through WebDAV, User B will be able to access the locked file and make changes. However, when User B attempts to save the file in WebDAV, an error will display, and the changes will not be saved.
Multiple login prompts
In some instances, end users might be prompted to log in each time they open or save a Microsoft 365 file while working in WebDAV. While the x360Sync support team cannot prevent Microsoft 365 from prompting for credentials, it might be possible to configure Microsoft 365 so that end users do not have to enter credentials each time they open or save files in a mapped drive. For more information on this issue and a potential workaround, please reference the x360Sync Knowledgebase.
Other known issues
Other known WebDAV issues have been noted related to accessing files through WebDAV. For example:
- Uploading large files (over 100 MB) might fail (refer to this Technet article for more information)
- Microsoft Word files might open in Read-only mode (refer to this TechCenter discussion for more information)
- WebDAV might disconnect at random intervals
- WebDAV might fail to restore mapping after rebooting the operating system
- WebDAV might not behave as expected when certain Microsoft Windows patches are applied to local machines
These known issues are not related to x360Sync, but might be connected with one of the following:
- Security such as firewalls, packet sniffing, deep packet inspection, intrusion preventing, and so forth
- Unstable internet connection at the client's site
- Microsoft and Mac clients poorly handling the WebDAV connection
In some instances, you might see improved performance when using a third-party application (such as Cyberduck or WebDrive) to replace MS Explorer or Mac Finder. Please note however, that these third party applications are not supported by the x360Sync support team.