Novell Documentation: iFolder 2.1 - When to Use NetDrive to Access an iFolder Server

1.2 When to Use NetDrive to Access an iFolder Server

NetDrive is an alternate way to access the iFolder server when no iFolder client is available, or when you need to access more than one iFolder account from a single workstation. Using NetDrive to access your iFolder files would be more efficient than viewing iFolder files using a Web browser in many circumstances, such as the following:

On a thin-client workstation that does not have adequate resources to manage local copies of all your iFolder files.
For more information and instructions, see Section 4.0, Using NetDrive and iFolder in a Thin-Client Environment.
In a shared computing environment, such as a university, where multiple users access their personal iFolder accounts from the same computer.
If you have multiple iFolder accounts and want to use more than one account at the same time from the same workstation.

Mapping a drive with NetDrive enables you to work with files stored on the iFolder server similar to the way you do with files stored on the network. NetDrive transparently downloads a local copy for viewing or modification, but writes the files to the server instead of the local workstation when you save the file. A permanent local copy is not saved to the workstation unless you choose to enable a NetDrive mirroring option. For details, see Section 2.5, Modifying Files.

With NetDrive, you can easily view and browse files with Windows Explorer instead of a Web browser. You do not need to manually upload and download files as is required with a Web browser. Because the files remain on the iFolder server, you do not need to delete the files from the local hard drive at the end of the session. NetDrive deletes the temporary local directory it created when you log out of NetDrive.

For more information on iFolder, see the Novell iFolder documentation.