eXist ships with a WebDAV interface. WebDAV makes it possible to manage database collections and documents just like directories and files in a file system. You can copy, move, delete, view or edit files with any application supporting the WebDAV protocol, including Windows Explorer, Mac OS X Finder, cadaver, KDE Konqueror, oXygen XML Editor, XML Spy, OpenOffice.org and many others (see "Compatibility" below).
While eXist has had WebDAV support since version 1.0b2, the new WebDAV implementation in version 1.4.1 brings improved WebDAV compatibility, thanks to its use of the excellent open-source Milton WebDAV API for Java.
In the default configuration the WebDAV server can be accessed via the URLs http://localhost:8080../webdav/db/ and https://localhost:8443../webdav/db/.
The Milton project maintains a detailed WebDAV client compatibility list that describes a "Recipe for broad client compatibility." In case of any problems please read this document. However, some preliminary points specific to eXist should be kept in mind:
The Milton-based WebDAV interface has been successfully tested with: Windows Web Folders (Windows XP/7), AnyClient (cross-platform), Mac OS X Finder, Transmit (Mac OS X), davfs version 1.4.5 (Linux), OxygenXML and OpenOffice.org.
The following clients are reported to have issues: GVFS (Nautilus) and NetDrive.
Out of the box, Windows (XP, 7) has some native support for the WebDAV protocol, but there are some well-known issues. Please consult the following articles in case of any problem.
Be aware that there are multiple versions of WebDAV Microsoft libraries (and different flavors of bugs). To avoid some frustration if the steps below don't work for you, Update Windows XP for Web Folders, or take more information about Web Folder Client (MSDAIPP.DLL) Versions and Issues.
Windows Vista and Windows 7 both restrict access to WebDAV servers that use Basic HTTP authentication on non-SSL connections. This restriction can be solved by changing a registry key. Read more on MSDN and greenbytes.de. However, SSL connections do bring improved security.
Perform the following steps in Internet Explorer:
This enables you to access eXist from almost any Windows XP application that supports 'Network Places' in the standard File dialog:
First, go to "My Network Places", click "Add..."
Then select the service provider.
Then enter the eXist WebDAV URL, e.g. http://localhost:8080../webdav/db/.
Finally click on the icon to access eXist.
The eXist database can be accessed easily with the Mac OS X Finder. First select in the Finder "Go" and "Connect to Server..."
Fill in the eXist WebDAV URL http://localhost:8080../webdav/db/
Enter a username and password...
And the database is accessible!
Note on SSL connections in oXygen: You may encounter an error: "Error: sun.security.validator.ValidatorException: PKIX path building failed: sun.security.provider.certpath.SunCertPathBuilderException: unable to find valid certification path to requested target."
In order to avoid this error, you'll need to add the Server certificate to your trusted certificates keystore (more info).
Warning: When saving a document to the WebDAV server via oXygen, remember to double check that the document path in the File URL field at the top of the dialog does really contain the URL to which you want to save the document. It happens very easily that you click on another folder or resource by mistake and thus overwrite the wrong resource.
Enter an URL like webdav://localhost:8080../webdav/db. Use webdavs:// for WebDAV over SSL.
Before eXist version 1.4.1 a custom implementation was used. This implementation has been deprecated because it was not stable enough and many WebDAV clients could not connect to the server. Although not recommended, it is possible to switch back to the old implementation by modifying the WebDAV configuration entry in the file WEB-INF/controller-config.xml. Modify the line
