1.1 What Is Novell Filr?

Novell Filr provides file access and sharing, and lets users access their home directories and network folders from desktops, mobile devices, and the Web. Users can also synchronize their files to their PC or Mac. Changes that they make to downloaded copies are kept in sync with the originals on their network file servers. And finally, users can also share files internally and externally, and those with the share can collaborate with each other by commenting on the files.

Figure 1-1 Mobile Access to Enterprise Data

  • Users: Filr lets you control the following:

    • User authentication inside and outside your organization

    • Access to organization files and folders that were previously accessible only through mapped drives

    • Access to personal files and folders in Filr-based storage and/or in traditional Windows, OES, and NetWare home directories

    • Internal and external sharing of files and folders

  • Access Devices and Methods: Filr provides multiple access methods.

    • A Web (browser-based) application

    • Apps for Apple iOS 8 and later, Android 2.3 and later, Windows phones 8.0 and 8.1, and BlackBerry PlayBook and Z10 personal devices

    • Clients for Windows 7 (x86 and x64) and 8 and later (x64 only) workstations

    • A client for Macintosh OS X 10.9 and later workstations

  • Filr Virtual Appliance:

    • This runs on VMware, Xen, Citrix Xen, and Hyper-V hypervisors.

    • It lets users authenticate using their eDirectory and Active Directory usernames and passwords.

    • It provides access to data on NetWare, OES, Windows, and SharePoint servers that use their native file protocols (NCP and CIFS).

  • Existing File Servers: Are not impacted because Filr does the following:

    • Requires no changes to file servers

    • Honors file system trustee rights and attributes

      Your Novell and Microsoft file servers and directory services retain complete control over all file- and folder-related activity.