Using CITES NetFiles on a Unix/Linux Machine

Cadaver is an open source command-line client for Unix machines that allows users to edit and manage files collaboratively on remote Web servers under the controlled authoring and versioning of WebDAV. Cadaver supports ftp-like functions such as file upload, download, and directory listing, and it lets you create directories, called collections, and lock files.

Cadaver has been tested by CITES staff and is known to work with CITES NetFiles. However, CITES does not provide consulting support for Cadaver at this time.

Download and install Cadaver

Begin by downloading the Cadaver source package from http://www.webdav.org/cadaver/. Move the package to its destination directory (typically /usr/local/src/) and issue the following command to extract the package contents:

tar xvzpf cadaver*.tar.gz

The xvzpf flags tell the tar command to unzip and extract files from the cadaver*.tar.gz package, keep the original package permissions, and give verbose information about the process.

Enter the newly created Cadaver source directory, which should look something like cadaver-0.19.0/, and run the following commands:

./configure --with-ssl
make
make install

Using Cadaver

Begin by pointing Cadaver at your home directory on the NetFiles web server:

cadaver https://netfiles.uiuc.edu/YourNetID

When prompted for your username and password, enter your NetID and AD password.

Next, you will need to download the file you wish to edit using the get <filename> command. It is very important to pay attention to when your files were last edited. Be sure to keep the latest revision on the server by uploading after each edit and downloading before you begin working on a file. This will help keep your versions in sync.

File manipulation through Cadaver is very similar to using a standard ftp client. Here is a list of the most common commands and their meanings:

• ls - Show a list of files available in the current directory.
• cd <directory> - Go to the specified directory.
• get <filename> - Download the specified file to your local hard drive.
• mget <filenames> - Download multiple files to your local hard drive.
• put <filename> - Upload a file from your local hard drive to the server.
• mput <filenames> - Upload multiple files from your local hard drive to the server.

Unlike an ftp client, Cadaver allows you to lock a file while it is in use. This feature allows multiple people to have access to a file without running the risk of overwriting each other's changes. As long as the file is locked, only the person who issued the lock command can edit the file. To lock a file, issue the following command:

lock <filename> ??

After you have downloaded your file, quit Cadaver by typing quit and edit the file on your local hard drive. Save your changes and connect to the NetFiles server again (cadaver https://netfiles.uiuc.edu/).

Now you will need to upload and unlock your file:

put <filename>
unlock <filename> ??
quit

Cadaver help

You can bring up the Cadaver help files by typing help while Cadaver is running or by typing man cadaver from a standard command prompt.