1.1 Personal File Backup (iFolder)

Novell iFolder allows your files to automatically follow you everywhere online, offline, all the time. It is a secure file storage solution that allows you to access your data from multiple workstations and locations. Your work environment now revolves around you, and your data is with you, wherever you are. You simply store your files in the iFolder directory on your workstation.

As you work, you can use iFolder to transparently synchronize changes through various workstations and network connections you might use.

1.1.1 Key Features

iFolder Client

An iFolder is a local directory that selectively shares and synchronizes files via a central computer with a user-specified group of users. The iFolder files are accessible to all iFolder members and can be changed by those with the rights to do so.

The iFolder client integrates with your operating system to provide iFolder services in your native desktop environment. The iFolder client allows you to manage your own iFolders and to select which shared iFolders to set up on your computer.

For additional information on how to configure or install the iFolder Client, go to the iFolder Client Documentation Web site

File Synchronization and File Management

When you set up an iFolder account, you can enable Remember Password so that iFolder can synchronize iFolder invitations and files in the background as you work.

You can configure the iFolder client to run automatically each time you log in to your computer’s desktop environment. The session runs in the background as you work with files in your local iFolders, tracking and logging any changes you make.

You can synchronize the files at specified intervals or on demand.

Shared Folders

You can access your iFolders across multiple workstations and share them with others.

You work with iFolders directly in your file manager or in the iFolders browser that is part of the client. Within the iFolder, you can set up any subdirectory structure that suits your personal or corporate work habits. The subdirectory structure is constant across all member iFolders. When you share an iFolder, member users with the Write right can modify the directory structure, and those changes apply to all copies of the iFolder.

iFolder Account

You must configure at least one iFolder services account before you create iFolders. An iFolder session begins when you log in to an iFolder services account and ends when you log out, or when you exit the iFolder client. Your iFolders synchronize files with other active iFolders only when your session is active and you are working online. You can access data in your local iFolders at any time, whether you are logged in to the account or not.

Synchronization Log

The synchronization log displays a log of your iFolder background activity, such as uploading and downloading files for different iFolders.

1.1.2 Prerequisites

You need the following:

  • A connection to your network.

  • A supported browser (Mozilla* Firefox* 2.0, Microsoft* Internet Explorer 7.

  • The name of the server to which you will be connecting your iFolder client (see your administrator for this information).

  • A link to iFolder Web Access (see your administrator for this information).

  • You, or your system administrator, need to install the client on your computer from Novell Open Workgroup Suite Small Business Edition administrator Web page under Desktop Downloads.

1.1.3 Logging In

You log in to Novell iFolder 3.x Web Access to gain access to folders and files in any of your iFolders available to you in your Novell iFolder enterprise server account. This includes iFolders that you participate in but have not set up on a local computer. The enterprise server specified in the URL authenticates your username against the server’s LDAP directory services.

You can also specify which of the supported localized interfaces to use. This is typically the language code of the iFolder enterprise server. Make sure to configure your browser’s Languages setting to support the desired language.

  1. In a supported Web browser, enter the URL of the iFolder server where your iFolders reside. For example: http://servername.example.com.

  2. In the left navigator of the welcome page, click iFolder 3.x to open the iFolder 3.x welcome page.

  3. In iFolder Links, click the link to Web Access to open the login page.

  4. On the iFolder 3.x Web Access Login page, specify the username and password for your account.

  5. Use the Languages drop-down list to specify which language you want to use to access your files.

  6. Click OK.

1.1.4 Logging Out

To log out, click the red square icon to the left of You are logged in as in the header area, then close your browser. If you do not log out, your session remains open until your session times out, which can be a security risk.

If the system connection times out when you are working in your iFolders, Web Access returns you to the log in again to resume working without closing your browser.

1.1.5 Browsing Folders

The iFolders page lists all iFolders available to you in the current domain. Available iFolders include those you own and those that others have made available to you. You can access iFolders through Web Access even if you have not set up the iFolder on a local computer. To help you locate the iFolder you seek, the Owner column identifies the name of the person who owns the iFolder. Click the iFolder’s name to view a list of its folders and files, upload and download files, create folders, and delete folders and files.

1.1.6 Managing Folders and Files in iFolder

Downloading a File

  1. Click Open or Save.

NOTE:iFolder 3.x Web Access does not support uploading and downloading of 10 MB or larger files.

  • Open: Click Open to view the file's contents. You must have a compatible application on your computer to open the file. The file is downloaded to a temporary folder where Internet files are saved, such as Temporary Internet Files in Windows, and then opened with your local application. If you plan to work in the file, it is best to save the file locally, modify the file, and then upload it.

  • Save: Click Save to save the file locally or to a mapped drive. Navigate to the location where you want to place the file, then click Save. The file is downloaded to your computer.

Options on the page might differ slightly, depending on the Web browser you use.

Creating a New Folder

In the New Folder field, specify the name of the new folder, then click Create. Folder names are case sensitive. When the page refreshes, the folder appears alphabetically in the list.

Deleting Folders or Files

Select the check box next to one or more folders or files you want to delete, then click Delete. Click Confirm to confirm the deletion.

Uploading a File

In the Upload File field, click Browse, locate a local folder you want to upload, then click Open > Upload. When the page refreshes, the file appears alphabetically in the list.

The maximum file size for the upload limit is configured by the administrator. By default, the limit is set to 10 MB; the limit for your server might differ.

Helpful Links

For troubleshooting, see the iFolder Documentation Web site.