UNIVERSITY OF COLOGNE

Access via CIFS/SMB

With this type of access, also known as "CIFS" or "Windows network drive", the full functionality of the storage solution can be used. However, this only applies without restriction if Windows is also used on the PC. Although the basic functions (read and write access to files) can be used under Mac OS X, special functions such as assigning access rights to third parties are only possible under Windows. Access from Linux via the SMB protocol is not recommended by the manufacturer of the system.

Furthermore, for security reasons, access via SMB is only possible within the University of Cologne network (UKLAN). For access from outside (e.g. from home) it is also necessary to establish a VPN connection to the UKLAN.

Access via WebDAV

Attention: Access via WebDAV always leads to problems and is not recommended for everyday use of SoFS. Rather, it is an aid for situations in which you need to access documents (read) quickly, but access via CIFS/SMB is not possible (e.g. on other computers or mobile).

Using the open WebDAV protocol, files can be read from many different systems in SoFS and stored there. Direct editing of files is not recommended; instead, the files to be edited should be downloaded, edited and then uploaded again.

The transfer is encrypted and access is possible worldwide until 22.12.2023. However, special functions such as assigning access rights or accessing deleted files are not possible via WebDAV. WebDAV is not particularly convenient to use under Windows XP. Under Windows 7 and the latest versions of Mac OS X and Linux, however, WebDAV works very well. It is also possible to use SoFS from Android tablets.

In addition, files in SoFS can also be accessed with a web browser. In this case, access is via WebDAV and is therefore not actually an independent access method. Files can only be downloaded via the browser; it is not possible to upload new files.

Advantages and disadvantages of the access routes

	Advantages	Disadvantages
CIFS/SMB	Easy to use	Access is unencrypted
	Full functionality and performance
	Access to older file versions (under Windows)
	Rights assignment possible (under Windows)
WebDAV	Encrypted access	Direct editing of files not recommended (download/edit/upload instead)
	Can be used on many computer systems	Lower performance than CIFS
		No access to older file versions
		Assignment of rights not possible

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