The 4ALLPORTAL file system can be connected to a local computer via a network share. It will then appear as a network drive with the other drives so that users of that computer can directly access the contents of the file system.
A basic requirement is the access data for the network protocol. These are provided by the 4ALLPORTAL for cloud systems and by the server provider for on-premises (more details).
When do you need a network drive?
Local access to the file system is only required in two cases:
When a user works with 4Apps InDesign Plugin and/or Desktop App. Both 4Apps work with original files and need to be able to open them directly from their storage location in the file system.
If administrators customize the 4ALLPORTAL themselves and need to store e.g. XML files directly in the custom folder.
Please note
In all other cases, working directly in the file system is not recommended!
Users should always import, move, edit or delete files via the 4ALLPORTAL. This is the only way to ensure that the metadata, links, role rights or usage rights of the files are considered and kept up to date.
If there are reasons that make it necessary to work directly on the file system, please contact your 4ALLPORTAL Service Team.
Connecting the file system
To connect to the file system, you need information about the network protocol used and the path to the folder in the file system that you want to access locally.
Protocols used: WebDAV and SMB
In order to set up the network share, you need to know the network protocol that has already been used when installing the 4ALLPORTAL:
for cloud systems (provided by 4ALLPORTAL): WebDAV
for on-premises (locally hosted): depending on your individual infrastructure WebDAV or SMB
For network sharing, you need to know the protocol's access details and the Internet or network address (WebDAV) resp. the folder path (SMB) to the file system.
Tip
If you are a Cloud customer and need an additional user for WebDAV, please contact us. This can only be created by the 4ALLPORTAL Service Team.
Network share entry point
For the network share, you need the Internet or network address (WebDAV) resp. the folder path (SMB) to the file system (= root directoy).
This root directory defines the entry point into the file system. The entry point varies depending on the work you need the network share for:
InDesign Plugin/Desktop App: The entry point must point directly to the location of the original files (e.g. 'assets').
custom folder: The entry point must point to the 'data' folder.
Example paths
The folder path resp. Internet or network address will vary depending on the protocol and operating system used.
The following example paths as entry points to the file system refer to cloud systems connected via WebDAV:
general access:
https://exmpl.4allportal.cloud/webdavaccess to original files (for InDesign Plugin/Desktop App):
https://exmpl.4allportal.cloud/webdav/assetsaccess to custom folder:
https://exmpl.4allportal.cloud/webdav/data
Setting up the network drive
Follow these steps to set up the network drive:
Mac: Open the Finder. Open the 'Connect to Server' window using the '
cmd+K' key combination.Windows: Open Explorer by pressing '
Windows+E'. Right-click on 'This PC' and select 'Map network drive ...'.Enter the Internet or network address (WebDAV) or the folder path (SMB) to the file system (see example paths).
Enter the access data for the network protocol used.
The file system should now appear as a drive, e.g. under 'This PC'.
Check: Clicking on the network drive should lead you directly to the specified folder (e.g. for 'assets': The folder structure should look the same as in the folder tree of the 'Files' module in the 4ALLPORTAL).
Please note
A network drive is not a feature of the 4ALLPORTAL. It is set up differently for Windows and Mac. Therefore it should be set up by the administrator, not the user.
Redirect for a different root directory
The 4Apps InDesign Plugin and Desktop App need to access the folder containing the original files (e.g. 'assets'). To connect, both 4Apps expect file .4apmount in this folder.
If the folder containing the original files is not defined as the root directory of the network drive, you will need to place a one-line file .4apmount_redirect containing the path to the original files in the root directory:
Scheme: "path={DesiredPath}/" (e.g. path=4ALLPORTAL/subfolder/assets/).
Examples
No redirect file needed
assets (root directory defined in the network share & entry point for the 4Apps)
.4apmountDAM files and folders
Redirect file required
example server (root directory defined in the network share)
.4apmount_redirectdata (entry point for the 4Apps)
.4apmountDAM files and folders
other folders
Please note
The .4apmount_redirect file does not replace the .4apmount file. This must remain e.g. in the "assets" folder.