SoFS: Usage Notes for Windows

For accessing SoFS under Microsoft Windows there are exemplary instructions for Windows 10 available, which are differentiated according to the different access paths.

Access via CIFS/SMB

A connection to SoFS via CIFS/SMB is only possible within the network of the University of Cologne (UKLAN). If you use a mobile device or access SoFS from home, a VPN connection must be established first. The connection via CIFS/SMB protocol under Windows allows the use of all functions of SoFS - with one restriction: The assignment of rights is not possible with a Home version of Windows. Access via CIFS/SMB is generally preferable to access via WebDAV for reasons of better performance and stability.

• Step-by-step instructions for setting up access via CIFS/SMB on a Windows machine.

Access via WebDAV

Access via WebDAV can be used from any Internet connection (i.e. even without a connection to the UKLAN). It is suitable for applications where it is not possible to establish a VPN connection to the UKLAN.

• Step-by-step instructions for setting up access via WebDAV on a Windows machine.

Access via web browser

Any web browser (for example: Firefox, Chrome, Safari, Internet Explorer, Opera) can also be used to access the data in SoFS. The access is therefore independent of the operating system. However, you have read-only access to the files, which means that no new folders can be created or files uploaded this way.

• Step-by-step instructions for access via web browser.

Access to Previous Versions

In SoFS, old versions of all stored files are kept. This way you have access to files that have actually already been deleted, as well as the possibility to access the old version of a file that has been accidentally overwritten. For more information and instructions on how to access the file version history under Windows, see the link provided.

• Step-by-step instructions for accessing deleted files and older versions of a file in Windows.

Assignment of permissions (for Admins)

If you have admin privileges for an SoFS area, you can grant read and write permissions to others. Please note that this is only possible with a connection via CIFS/SMB and is not possible with a Home version of Windows, so you need e.g. a Pro or Education version.

• Step-by-step instructions for granting various permissions.

Access via CIFS/SMB

A connection to SoFS via CIFS/SMB is only possible within the network of the University of Cologne (UKLAN). If you use a mobile device or access SoFS from home, a VPN connection must be established first. Please note that access via CIFS/SMB is generally preferable to WebDAV for performance and stability reasons.

• Step-by-step instructions for setting up access via CIFS/SMB on a Mac.

Access via WebDav

In contrast to CIFS/SMB a connection via WebDAV can be accessed through the internet (a connection via WebDAV does not need an active VPN connection) and is suitable for situations where it is not possible to establish a VPN connection to the UKLAN.

• Step-by-step instructions for setting up access via WebDAV on a Mac.

Access through a web browser

One can also access data in SoFS using a web browser (for example: Firefox, Chrome, Safari, Internet Explorer, Opera). The access is therefore independent of the operating system. However, access is limited to read-only, so no new folders can be created, or files uploaded using this method.

• Step-by-step instructions for access via web browser.

Advice for an efficient usage

After restarting your Mac you will have to reestablish the connection to SoFS in order to access the files. To make this easier, you can simply create a reference to SoFS on your desktop or any other accessible folder. In doing so you only have to open the reference (and enter your password if prompted) in order to connect to SoFS.

To create a reference, establish a connection to SoFS – it does not matter, whether you use CIFS or WebDAV. - and select the folder or subfolder where you want to have easy access to. Now press and hold [cmd] and [alt] on your keyboard and drag and drop the desired folder to your preferred location. Next to the folder an icon will appear which looks like a small, curved.

In the future you can use this icon to easily connect to SoFS.

Troubleshooting

Sometimes while saving files directly from within a program (e.g., Adobe products or Microsoft Office) problems can occur. In these cases, it is recommended to switch from CIFS/SMB to WebDAV.

Access rights

Unfortunately, it is not possible in a comfortable way to change or display access rights for folders and files in SoFS on a mac. If you want to change said access rights it is recommended to use windows.

If there are no changes the ‘public’ area is accessible for all users of the university of cologne. ‘Project’ areas are administered by the project coordinator. While in the ‘private’ area access rights are limited to the owner.

Access older files

Although deleted files or overwritten versions of files are provided by SoFS, there is no way to have access to hem using a Mac. If you want to restore a deleted file or get access to an older version of a file, it is recommended to restore them using Windows and save them with a different name to have access to it on the Mac. If this is not possible for you, please contact the RRZK-Helpdesk.

Access via CIFS/SMB

Access via CIFS/SMB can only be used within the network of the University of Cologne (UKLAN). On mobile devices or for access from home, an additional VPN connection must be established. Access via CIFS/SMB is generally preferable to access via WebDAV for reasons of better performance and stability. As an example, here is a guide to the SoFS drive via Ubuntu. Please note that depending on your Linux distribution or Ubuntu version, the steps may change.

• Step-by-step instructions for setting up access with CIFS/SMB on Ubuntu

Access via WebDAV

Unlike CIFS/SMB access, access via WebDAV can be used from any Internet connection (i.e. even without a connection to the UKLAN). It is suitable for applications where it is not possible to establish a VPN connection to the UKLAN.

• Step-by-step instructions for setting up access with WebDAV under Ubuntu.

Access via web browser

With any web browser (for example: Firefox, Chrome, Safari, Internet Explorer, Opera) the data in the SoFS can also be accessed. Access is thus independent of the operating system. However, you have read-only access to the files, which means that you cannot create new folders or upload files in this way.

• Step-by-step instructions for access via web browser.

Access through a web browser

One can also access data in SoFS using a web browser (for example: Firefox, Chrome, Safari, Internet Explorer, Opera). The access is therefore independent of the operating system. However, access is limited to read-only, so no new folders can be created, or files uploaded using this method.

• Step-by-step instructions for access via web browser.

Access to deleted files and older versions of a file

In SoFS, old version states of all stored files are kept. This gives you access to files that have actually already been deleted, as well as the ability to access the old state of a file that was accidentally overwritten. This is only possible with a Windows computer where SoFS has been set up via CIFS/SMB.

• Step-by-step instructions for accessing deleted files and older versions of a file.

Assignment of permissions (for Admins)

If you have admin privileges for an SoFS area, you can grant read and write permissions to others. Please note that this is only possible with a connection via CIFS/SMB and is not possible with a Home version of Windows, so you need e.g. a Pro or Education version.

• Step-by-step instructions for granting various permissions.