Novell IFOLDER 3.8 Cross-Platform Help
Novell®
www.novell.com
Cross-Platform Help
novdocx (en) 24 March 2009
AUTHORIZED DOCUMENTATION
iFolder
3.8
®
Novell iFolder 3.8 Cross-Platform Help
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Contents
iFolder Help 7
1 Overview of iFolder 9
1.1 Benefits of iFolder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
1.2 The iFolder Client. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
1.3 iFolder Account . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
1.4 Cross-Platform Considerations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
1.5 Key Features of iFolder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
1.5.1 iFolder Sharing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
1.5.2 iFolder Access Rights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
1.5.3 File Synchronization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
1.5.4 Migration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
1.5.5 Encryption . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
1.5.6 Upgrade . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
1.5.7 Merge. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
1.5.8 Default iFolder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
1.5.9 Enhanced Web Access . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
1.5.10 Synchronization Log . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
1.6 What’s Next . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
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2 Managing iFolder Accounts and Preferences 17
2.1 Starting the iFolder Client. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
2.1.1 Linux . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
2.1.2 Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
2.1.3 Macintosh . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
2.2 Configuring an iFolder Account . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
2.3 Logging In to an iFolder Account . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
2.4 Viewing and Modifying iFolder Account Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
2.5 Configuring iFolder Preferences for the Client . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
2.6 Configuring Local Firewall Settings for iFolder Traffic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
2.6.1 Using a Local Dynamic Port . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
2.6.2 Using a Local Static Port . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
2.7 Configuring Local Virus Scanner Settings for iFolder Traffic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
2.8 Deleting an iFolder Account . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
2.9 Logging Out of an iFolder Account. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
2.9.1 Macintosh . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
2.9.2 Linux . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
2.9.3 Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
2.10 Exiting the iFolder Client . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
2.11 What’s Next . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
3 Managing iFolders 35
3.1 Guidelines for the Location and Use of iFolders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
3.2 Guidelines for File Types and Sizes to Not Synchronize . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
3.2.1 Operating System Files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
3.2.2 Hidden Files. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
3.2.3 Database Files. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
Contents 5
3.3 Naming Conventions for an iFolder and Its Folders and Files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
3.4 Understanding iFolder Icons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
3.5 iFolder Browser . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
3.6 Creating and Uploading an iFolder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
3.6.1 Linux . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
3.6.2 Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
3.6.3 Macintosh . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
3.6.4 Creating iFolders on a FAT32 Mount Point (Linux) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
3.7 Sharing an iFolder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
3.7.1 Understanding User Access Rights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
3.7.2 Accessing the Sharing Tab . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
3.7.3 Adding a User to an iFolder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
3.7.4 Modifying User Access Rights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
3.7.5 Removing a User from an iFolder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
3.7.6 Transferring Ownership to an iFolder User . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
3.8 Viewing and Hiding Available iFolders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
3.9 Merging iFolders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
3.9.1 iFolder-to-Folder Merge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
3.9.2 Moving Existing iFolders to Different Locations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
3.9.3 Merging Migrated 2.x iFolders with 3.7 or later iFolders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
3.10 Downloading an Available iFolder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
3.11 Viewing and Configuring Properties of an iFolder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
3.11.1 Understanding iFolder Properties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
3.11.2 Accessing iFolder Properties from a File Manager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
3.11.3 Accessing iFolder Properties from the iFolder Browser. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
3.12 Managing Passphrases for Encrypted iFolders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
3.12.1 Recovering an encrypted iFolder. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
3.12.2 Changing the Passphrase . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56
3.13 Changing the Password . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
3.14 Setting an iFolder Quota . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
3.15 Synchronizing Files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
3.15.1 Synchronizing Files on Demand . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
3.15.2 Configuring the Synchronization Interval . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
3.16 Resolving File Conflicts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
3.16.1 Resolving File Version Conflicts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
3.16.2 Resolving Filename Conflicts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
3.17 Moving an iFolder. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
3.18 Reverting an iFolder to a Normal Folder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
3.19 Removing Membership From a Shared iFolder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
3.20 Deleting an iFolder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61
3.21 What’s Next . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62
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4 Novell iFolder Migration And Upgrade 63
4.1 Migrating from iFolder 2.x to iFolder 3.7 or later . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63
4.1.1 Understanding the Migration Process . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63
4.1.2 Migration Procedure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63
4.2 Upgrading iFolder 3.x Clients . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65
4.2.1 Automatically Upgrading to iFolder 3.7 or later Versions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65
4.2.2 Manually Upgrading to iFolder 3.7 or later Versions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65
4.3 Coexistence of Novell iFolder 2.x and iFolder Clients . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65
6 Novell iFolder 3.8 Cross-Platform Help
iFolder Help
Novell® iFolder® is a file-sharing application for Linux* ,Windows* and Macintosh*clients. With
iFolder, your local files automatically follow you everywhere---online, offline, all the time---across
computers. You can share files in multiple iFolders, each with different users. You control who can
participate in an iFolder and their access rights to the files in it. You can also participate in iFolders
that others share with you.
This help system describes how to use and manage the iFolder client.
Chapter 1, “Overview of iFolder,” on page 9
Chapter 2, “Managing iFolder Accounts and Preferences,” on page 17
Chapter 3, “Managing iFolders,” on page 35
Chapter 4, “Novell iFolder Migration And Upgrade,” on page 63
Audience
novdocx (en) 24 March 2009
This guide is intended for users of the iFolder client.
Additional Documentation
If you are using the iFolder 3.7 or later client with a Novell iFolder 3.7 or later enterprise server or
Web access server, see the iFolder 3.8 User Guide at the Novell iFolder Documentation Web site
(http://www.novell.com/documentation/ifolder3).
Documentation Conventions
In Novell documentation, a greater-than symbol (>) is used to separate actions within a step and
items in a cross-reference path.
A trademark symbol (
trademark.
When a single pathname can be written with a backslash for some platforms or a forward slash for
other platforms, the pathname is presented with a backslash. Users of platforms that require a
forward slash, such as Linux or UNIX, should use forward slashes as required by your software.
®
, TM, etc.) denotes a Novell trademark. An asterisk (*) denotes a third-party
iFolder Help 7
novdocx (en) 24 March 2009
8 Novell iFolder 3.8 Cross-Platform Help
1
Overview of iFolder
Novell® iFolder® is a file-sharing application for Linux, Windows, and Macintosh clients. You can
share files in multiple iFolders, each with different users or LDAPGroups. You control who can
participate in an iFolder and the access level for each member. You can also participate in iFolders
that others share with you.
iFolder provides you a simple, hassle-free user interface for client-side migration from iFolder 2.x to
iFolder 3.6 and later, and for a client-side upgrade from iFolder 3.x to iFolder 3.6 and later.
This section familiarizes you with the various benefits and features of iFolder:
Section 1.1, “Benefits of iFolder,” on page 9
Section 1.2, “The iFolder Client,” on page 10
Section 1.3, “iFolder Account,” on page 10
Section 1.4, “Cross-Platform Considerations,” on page 10
novdocx (en) 24 March 2009
1
Section 1.5, “Key Features of iFolder,” on page 11
Section 1.6, “What’s Next,” on page 15
1.1 Benefits of iFolder
iFolder provides the following benefits:
iFolder integrates with your native desktop environment, making it easy to create and manage
multiple iFolders.
iFolder is highly scalable and flexible, with no practical limit on the number of iFolders per
user or on the number of members per iFolder.
With encryption enabled, iFolder protects data as it travels across the wire and is stored on the
iFolder server.
With the enhanced Web Access console, you can access your files on the iFolder server from
any workstation without the iFolder client, and use a Web browser to perform all the operations
of iFolder client.
You can easily and selectively share personal and business files.
iFolder can migrate and upgrade your iFolder data to the latest version.
iFolder supports LDAPGroups. You can share iFolders with LDAPGroups. Members of the
LDAPGroup can create, own and share iFolders with other individual users or other
LDAPGroups.
You can control the access level of member users of the iFolders you own, or where you have
the necessary rights to control the access rights of members.
iFolder transparently updates your files to member iFolders on multiple workstations.
When iFolder is running, it tracks and logs changes made while you work offline, and
synchronizes those changes when you connect to the server.
Overview of iFolder
9
iFolder provides secure authentication of members who access an iFolder to synchronize its
data.
iFolders offers an alternative to exchanging files via e-mail, which avoids the file-size limits on
e-mail attachments and reduces your e-mail storage requirements.
1.2 The iFolder Client
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 each computer. iFolder supports the following operating systems:
SUSE
SUSE
Windows Vista SP1
Windows XP SP2
OpenSUSE 11.1
Apple Macintosh
®
Linux Enterprise Desktop 10 SP1 and SP2
®
Linux Enterprise Desktop 11
®
10.4 and later
novdocx (en) 24 March 2009
1.3 iFolder Account
An iFolder account is created when an iFolder services administrator provisions you as an iFolder
user for an iFolder server. The administrator provides you with a username and password. For an
enterprise, this might be your username or e-mail address and the related password. You must
configure at least one iFolder account before you can create iFolders. For more information, see
Section 2.2, “Configuring an iFolder Account,” on page 20.
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. For information, see
Section 2.2, “Configuring an iFolder Account,” on page 20.
1.4 Cross-Platform Considerations
The user interfaces for the Linux, Windows, and Macintosh versions of the iFolder client conform to
interface conventions of their individual platforms. The way you perform common tasks is parallel
in each platform, but you might observe slight differences in the buttons, the display area, function
labels, the location of the desktop notification area, the start iFolder preference, and so on as you
perform the tasks. Except where procedures differ explicitly, this guide provides instructions for
only one of the three platforms.
The following table lists some typical differences and similarities in the client interface:
Task Linux Windows Macintosh
iFolder menu Quit Exit Quit
iFolder Preferences >
Accounts dialog
10 Novell iFolder 3.8 Cross-Platform Help
Add button Add button Plus (+) button
Task Linux Windows Macintosh
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iFolder Preference >
Accounts dialog
Multiple locations Close button
iFolder Preferences
dialog
Configuring an iFolder
Account
Notification area Notification area Status and Notification
Right-click notification
area
iFolders > iFolder menu Properties Properties Get Info
iFolder Wizards Forward button and
Remove button Remove button Minus (-) button
OK, Cancel, and Apply
Actions are committed
when you perform the
action
Add iFolder to the
desktop’s Startup
Programs
Remember my
password
Account Settings Accounts This feature is not
Back button
buttons
Actions are committed
only when you click
Apply or OK
Select (enable) Start
iFolder when logging In
to the desktop
Remember password on
this computer
area
Next button and Back
button
OK and Cancel button
Actions are committed
when you perform the
action
This feature is not
available
Remember Password
Notification area
available
No buttons to move front
and back. You can
configure your
username, password
and server in a single
window.
Configuring an iFolder
Account
iFolder Server
Configuration Wizard
iFolder Identity
Configuration Wizard
iFolder Account
Assistant
iFolder Server Choose an iFolder
Identity iFolder Account
iFolder Account Creation
Wizard
Server
Information
Preferences > Account
Not available
Not available
1.5 Key Features of iFolder
Before you begin to use iFolder, it is important to understand the following key features:
Section 1.5.1, “iFolder Sharing,” on page 12
Section 1.5.2, “iFolder Access Rights,” on page 12
Section 1.5.3, “File Synchronization,” on page 13
Section 1.5.4, “Migration,” on page 13
Section 1.5.5, “Encryption,” on page 14
Section 1.5.6, “Upgrade,” on page 14
Section 1.5.7, “Merge,” on page 14
Section 1.5.8, “Default iFolder,” on page 14
Overview of iFolder 11
Section 1.5.9, “Enhanced Web Access,” on page 14
Section 1.5.10, “Synchronization Log,” on page 15
1.5.1 iFolder Sharing
Typically, when you work in multiple locations or in collaboration with others, you must
conscientiously manage file versions. With iFolder, the most recent version of your files can follow
you to any computer where you have installed the iFolder client and created an iFolder for them.
iFolder also allows you to share multiple iFolders and their separate content with other authorized
users or LDAPGroups. For more information on shared iFolder, see “Shared iFolders” on page 12.
The iFolder client supports sharing by synchronizing files across multiple computers through a
central server. It allows you to do the following:
Share files across computers
Share files with others
Own multiple iFolders
Participate in multiple iFolders that other users share with you
Participate as the owner or a member of iFolders in multiple accounts
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You work with iFolders directly in your file manager or in the iFolder 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.
Shared iFolders
An iFolder is a local directory that selectively shares and synchronizes files via a central server with
user-specified users. The iFolder files are accessible to all iFolder members and can be changed by
those with the rights to do so. You can access your iFolders across multiple workstations and share
them with both individual users and LDAPGroups.
You decide who participates in each iFolder and the level of access for each member. Similarly, you
can participate in shared iFolders that are owned by others in your collaboration environment. When
you share an iFolder, member users with the Write permission can modify the directory structure,
and those changes apply to all copies of the iFolder. Each user can locate the shared iFolder
anywhere on his or her own computer if it satisfies the requirements in Section 3.1, “Guidelines for
the Location and Use of iFolders,” on page 35.
1.5.2 iFolder Access Rights
The iFolder client supports the owner and three levels of access for members of an iFolder:
12 Novell iFolder 3.8 Cross-Platform Help
IMPORTANT: Members of an LDAPGroup inherit the access rights set for that group.
Owner: Only one user serves as the owner of an iFolder. This is typically the user who creates
the iFolder. The owner user can use the iFolder client to transfer ownership to another member
of the iFolder.
The owner of an iFolder has the Full Control right. This user has Read/Write access to the
iFolder, manages membership and access rights for member users, and can remove the Full
Control right for any member.
If an LDAPGroup owns an iFolders, all the member users of that group are given the full
control right.
Full Control: A member of the shared iFolder, with the Full Control access right. This member
has Read/Write access to the iFolder and manages membership and access rights for all users
except the owner.
Read/Write: A member of the shared iFolder, with the Read/Write access right to the
directories and files in the iFolder. This member can modify a file, but the local changes are
synchronized to other members’ copies of the iFolder.
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Read Only: A member of the shared iFolder, with the Read Only access right to directories
and files in the iFolder. This member can modify a file, but the local changes are not
synchronized to other members’ copies of the iFolder.
Any iFolder user or LDAPGroup can own some iFolders and be a member of other iFolders. As an
owner user, you always have the Full Control right. As a member user, your level of access in each
shared iFolder can differ, depending on the access granted to you by any member with the Full
Control right.
1.5.3 File Synchronization
When you are connected to the server, iFolder can synchronize iFolder membership and files in the
background as you work. When you set up an iFolder account, you can enable Remember My
Password so that iFolder can remember the password on that machine, and next time when you
launch iFolder, it is automatically connects to the server and synchronize the data without prompting
for the password.
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 manually or at specified intervals.
iFolder also has delta synchronization capabilities. When you make any changes to an iFolder file,
only the deltas or changes are synchronized to the server. In other words, delta synchronization only
retrieves updates since the last synchronization between the iFolder client and the server. This
increases the efficiency, because it reduces the synchronization time.
1.5.4 Migration
Novell iFolder provides a simple, hassle-free user interface for client-side migration from iFolder
Overview of iFolder 13
2.x to iFolder 3.6 and later. The Migration Wizard provided in the iFolder client helps you migrate
the existing iFolder 2.x data to iFolder 3.6 and later quickly and easily. For more information, see
“Novell iFolder Migration And Upgrade” on page 63.
1.5.5 Encryption
iFolder provides higher security for your confidential iFolder files, to protect them from intentional
or unintentional access by unauthorized people. In the past, data security was not ensured on the
server side, so the data was accessible to the administrator or to anyone who gained unauthorized
access to the server. In addition, when you access iFolder files via an ISP provider, there is a chance
that an unauthorized individual can inadvertently stumble across your confidential files. Now, you
can encrypt and save your files on the server, and retrieve them through a passphrase known only to
you. If you forget your passphrase, the Recovery agent you have selected during the creation of the
encrypted iFolder helps you recover your data.
IMPORTANT: Encrypted iFolders cannot be shared.
For more information on encryption, see “Managing Passphrases for Encrypted iFolders” on
page 53.
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1.5.6 Upgrade
Novell iFolder provides a simple upgrade from iFolder 3.x to the iFolder client for Novell iFolder
3.6 and above versions. For more information, see Section 4.2, “Upgrading iFolder 3.x Clients,” on
page 65.
1.5.7 Merge
With Merge, you can consolidate the iFolder data and minimize the data transfer between the iFolder
client and the server. Merge also allows you to move an existing folder to a different location on the
client machine. For more information, see Section 3.9, “Merging iFolders,” on page 50.
1.5.8 Default iFolder
iFolder allows you to set up a default iFolder when you configure a new account. Whenever you
configure a new iFolder account, iFolder automatically checks for the presence of the default
iFolder. If you have not created a default iFolder, iFolder prompts you to create one. If it already
exists, the iFolder client prompts you to download. You are also allowed to ignore both these
options. For more information, see Step 7 on page 21 in the Section 2.2, “Configuring an iFolder
Account,” on page 20.
1.5.9 Enhanced Web Access
iFolder provides an enhanced Web interface that allows you to access your iFolder files on remote
servers. With the Web Access console, you can use a Web browser to access your files on the iFolder
server from any workstation without the iFolder client. The Web Access interface enables you to
perform all the operations of the iFolder client.
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When compared to the previous iFolder versions, iFolder 3.6 and later versions lets you create,
browse, share, upload and delete iFolders via the enhanced Web access console. Mobile users can
also make use of this facility through the Web.
1.5.10 Synchronization Log
The synchronization log displays a log of your iFolder background activity, such as uploading and
downloading files for different iFolders, policy violations, excluded files, and non-synchronized
files.
1.6 What’s Next
For information about configuring using the iFolder client, see the following:
Chapter 2, “Managing iFolder Accounts and Preferences,” on page 17
Chapter 3, “Managing iFolders,” on page 35
Chapter 4, “Novell iFolder Migration And Upgrade,” on page 63
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Overview of iFolder 15
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16 Novell iFolder 3.8 Cross-Platform Help
2
Managing iFolder Accounts and
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Preferences
This section discusses how to configure your iFolderTM accounts and how to manage preferences for
the iFolder client.
Section 2.1, “Starting the iFolder Client,” on page 17
Section 2.2, “Configuring an iFolder Account,” on page 20
Section 2.3, “Logging In to an iFolder Account,” on page 22
Section 2.4, “Viewing and Modifying iFolder Account Settings,” on page 23
Section 2.5, “Configuring iFolder Preferences for the Client,” on page 27
Section 2.6, “Configuring Local Firewall Settings for iFolder Traffic,” on page 29
Section 2.7, “Configuring Local Virus Scanner Settings for iFolder Traffic,” on page 31
Section 2.8, “Deleting an iFolder Account,” on page 31
Section 2.9, “Logging Out of an iFolder Account,” on page 32
Section 2.10, “Exiting the iFolder Client,” on page 33
Section 2.11, “What’s Next,” on page 33
2.1 Starting the iFolder Client
2
When iFolder is running, the iFolder Services icon appears in the notification area of the taskbar.
iFolder is integrated in the desktop environment. The iFolder emblem (a green “i”) appears on
iFolders when they are viewed in a file manager, on the desktop, or in the iFolder browser. The
encrypted iFolder is indicated by the emblem (locked folder).
IMPORTANT: The notification area of the taskbar must be enabled in order for the iFolder
Services icon to be displayed when iFolder is running.
You can work locally with files in your local iFolders at any time. Whenever the iFolder client is
running, it logs the changes you make to local iFolder data as you work. If you make changes to
local iFolder data when iFolder is not running, iFolder identifies and logs the differences the next
time you start iFolder.
When iFolder is not running, iFolders appear in the file manager or on the desktop. You can access
files in your local copy of an iFolder, but you cannot manage iFolders. In addition, you must log in
to an account to create an iFolder or synchronize its files.
NOTE: During account creation, user login happens through SSL. When you are prompted to
accept the server certificate, you must validate the certificate and accept it for a successful
connection.
For information about stopping the iFolder client, see Section 2.10, “Exiting the iFolder Client,” on
page 33.
Managing iFolder Accounts and Preferences
17
2.1.1 Linux
“Starting iFolder Automatically on Login” on page 18
“Starting iFolder Manually” on page 18
Starting iFolder Automatically on Login
To enable iFolder to start automatically when you log in to the desktop, do one of the following:
Open the applications menu, click More Applications, locate and right-click iFolder 3, then
select Add to Startup Programs from the menu.
Make sure iFolder is running when you log out, then save the session setup. Select this session
option when you log in to the desktop.
Open a terminal window, log in as the root user, then run /opt/gnome/bin/gnome-
session-properties to add iFolder as a program to start when you log in to your
computer.
To disable iFolder from starting automatically on login, do one of the following:
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Open the applications menu, locate and right-click iFolder 3, then select Remove from Startup
Programs.
Make sure iFolder is not running when you log out, then save the session setup. Select this
session option when you log in to the desktop.
Starting iFolder Manually
1 Log in to your computer with the local Linux user identity you want to use when you create
iFolders.
2 Use one of the following methods to start iFolder:
In the taskbar, open the applications menu, click More Applications, locate iFolder 3 by
searching or scrolling through the available options, right-click iFolder 3, then select Start
iFolder 3.
Open a terminal shell, then enter
/usr/bin/ifolder
2.1.2 Windows
“Starting iFolder Automatically on Logon” on page 18
“Starting iFolder Manually” on page 19
Starting iFolder Automatically on Logon
To start iFolder automatically when you log in to the desktop:
1 Right-click the iFolder Services icon, then select Preferences to open the iFolder
Preferences dialog box to the General tab.
2 Select Start iFolder When logging in to the Desktop, then click Apply.
3 Click OK to close the iFolders Preferences dialog box.
18 Novell iFolder 3.8 Cross-Platform Help
To disable iFolder from starting automatically when you log on to the desktop:
1 Right-click the iFolder Services icon, then select Preferences to open the iFolder Preferences
dialog box to the General tab.
2 Deselect Start iFolder When logging in to the Desktop, then click Apply.
3 Click OK to close the iFolders Preferences dialog box.
Starting iFolder Manually
1 Log in to the computer with the local Windows user identity you want to use when you create
iFolders.
2 If iFolder does not start automatically on successful logon, start iFolder by clicking Start >
Programs > iFolder 3, then select the iFolder 3 Client application.
2.1.3 Macintosh
“Starting iFolder Automatically on Login” on page 19
“Starting iFolder Manually” on page 19
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Starting iFolder Automatically on Login
To enable iFolder to start automatically when you log in to your Macintosh computer, add iFolder to
the Startup Items.
1 Start iFolder.
2 From the dock, right-click the iFolder icon and select the option Open at Login.
or
From the dock, press the Ctrl key, click the iFolder icon, then select Open at Login.
To disable iFolder from starting automatically, remove iFolder from the Startup Items.
1 From the dock, right-click the iFolder icon, and deselect Open at Login.
or
From the dock, right-click or Ctrl-click the iFolder icon, then deselect Open at Login.
Starting iFolder Manually
1 Log in to your computer with the local Macintosh user identity you want to use when you
create iFolders.
2 Use one of the following methods to start iFolder:
Open the Applications directory on Macintosh HD, select Applications, then double-
click iFolder 3.
Type iFolder in the spotlight (Apple button + Spacebar or click the magnifying glass
icon on top right) then click the iFolder 3 under Applications.
Open a terminal shell, log in as the root user, then enter
/Applications/iFolder 3.app/Contents/MacOS/iFolder 3
Managing iFolder Accounts and Preferences 19
2.2 Configuring an iFolder Account
Use the iFolder Account Creation Wizard to add and configure a new account. You must configure
at least one iFolder account before you can create iFolders or share iFolders on your system. You
can connect to the iFolder server with only one account at any given time. However, to connect to
more than one iFolder servers, you can configure multiple accounts. You can log in separately to
each account and be logged in concurrently to multiple accounts.
Multiple users with different local login identities will have iFolders on the same computer. The first
time you start iFolder under your current local login identity, iFolder prompts you to set up an
iFolder account.
IMPORTANT: iFolder 3.7 and later versions introduce a new feature, auto-account creation, which
helps the iFolder administrator to create and configure an account for you. If your iFolder
administrator has enabled auto-account creation, you don’t need to configure an account for
yourself. When you start an iFolder for the first time, you are prompted to enter your password.
Enter your password and complete configuring the account.
To configure a new account:
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1 Access the iFolder Account Creation Wizard, using one of the following methods:
The first time you start iFolder under your current local login identity, iFolder prompts
you to set up an iFolder account. Click Forward to go directly to the iFolder Account
Creation Wizard.
Right-click the iFolder Services icon in the notification area, select Accounts to open
the iFolder Preferences dialog box to the Accounts tab, then click Add to open the iFolder
Account Creation Wizard.
2 Follow the on-screen instructions to specify the following values:
Parameter Description
Server Address The DNS name or IP address of the iFolder enterprise server where you have
an account. Get this information from your iFolder administrator.
For example: svr21.example.com or 192.168.1.1
The server name is always displayed along with it’s IP address in the iFolder
user interface. For example: iFolder - 192.168.1.1
IMPORTANT: You cannot use an iFolder 3.7 or later client to connect to an
iFolder 3.2 server.
Set this as my
default server
If you have multiple servers connected to your account, select the Set this as
my default server check box to set the selected server from the drop-down list
of servers as the default Server when you create or upload an ifolder.
User Name Specify your user identity for this account. Your iFolder administrator decides
whether the format you should use must be your network user ID (LDAP
common name) or your e-mail address.
For example, if your name is John Smith with a user ID of jsmith and an e-mail
address of john.smith@example.com, your administrator configures a setting
for the server that determines which of the two formats to accept in the
Username field for authentication purposes.
20 Novell iFolder 3.8 Cross-Platform Help
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