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Open Source Web-Based File Management?

Posted by Cliff on from the explorer-not-good-enough dept.

mister_bee asks: "I've been tasked with finding the best solution for implementing a web-based file management system. The goals of the system are easy management of files and permissions by the admin and a simple interface for the client. In this implementation, the client should only see their files and folders and not be bothered by file upload capabilities or permissions. Over the years I've seen a need for such an animal time and time again and have never found a project that I was happy with. There's always the possibility of modifying one of the many web FTP implementations that can be found over at Freshmeat of SF. Suggestions anyone?"

3 of 54 comments (clear)

  1. Re:WebDAV by albalbo · · Score: 2, Interesting

    Not very easy to do for multiple-ownership - for example, apache still accesses files as the user it is daemonised as, not as the user you authenticate as.

    --
    "Elmo knows where you live!" - The Simpsons
  2. Webmin and the File Manager module by Youssef+Adnan · · Score: 3, Interesting

    Webmin and the FireManager module are the best in my opinion. The Java applet makes working with it a snap. Here is a link: http://www.webmin.com/standard.html

    Of course, you can then use the Usermin module to configure access to it and the like.

    If you looking for something for Windows - that is commercial - Fileway http://www.fileway.com/ is the best!

  3. 1) Firewalls/NATs & 2) Proprietary Clients??? by mosel-saar-ruwer · · Score: 3, Interesting

    Whenever this subject comes up, there are always two overriding concerns:
    1) Must the server end of the thing sit on a public IP address, or can it sit on a private [NAT-ed] IP address behind a firewall, and

    2) Must the end-user download and install a proprietary client?

    Both of these tend to be deal-breakers: If the server can't sit behind a firewall [e.g. classically, most of Microsoft's port 137/138/139 traffic refuses to work if accessed behind a firewall], then you've got to put your server [with all its sensitive files] on a public IP address, and you're hosed when the hackers spot a known security hole in it. Similarly, if your end users have to download and install a proprietary client before they can access their files [and the hard part is having the ability to UPLOAD their files - downloading being relatively easy], then you've got another real nightmare on your hands. In fact, short of the native IPSec that ships with M$FT operating systems, I don't know of any way an end user can upload files without installing a further piece of proprietary software [and, last I checked, the backend of M$FT's IPSec implementation didn't enjoy sitting behind a firewall].

    Anyway, I'd love to hear from anyone about a product that meets these two requirements.