[galaxy-dev] WebDAV

26 Nov 2012

      Hi folks,
I've just set a WebDAV directory in order to let users upload files as an
alternative to the good old FTP.
Since it might be useful, here are the steps.
I hope you enjoy!
Adhemar

*Configuring WebDAV*

In order to provide a drag and drop interface to upload files to galaxy,
one can choose WebDAV. To make it available, you'll need to install the
following:

# These modules are responsible for enabling the DAV protocol through the
apache webserver
mod_dav
mod_dav_fs

# This package is necessary in order to set galaxy uid/gid (AssignUserId)
rather than the default apache user
httpd-itk.x86_64 : MPM Itk for Apache HTTP Server

# First, install httpd-itk (http://www.webtatic.com/packages/httpd-itk/):

yum install httpd-itk

# Then edit /etc/sysconfig/httpd and add the following line:

HTTPD=/usr/sbin/httpd.itk

# The galaxy user must have write permission in the directory containing
the DavLockDB files otherwise:

[error] [client 127.0.0.1] The locks could not be queried for verification
against a possible "If:" header.  [500, #0]
[error] [client 127.0.0.1] Could not open the lock database.  [500, #400]
[error] [client 127.0.0.1] (13)Permission denied: Could not open property
database.  [500, #1]

# Here's an example of apache's virtual host configuration, assuming
ftp_upload_dir = /home/galaxy/database/ftp in the Galaxy config file:

     # include 'REMOTE_USER' in the directory path in order to limit users
to their own directories
     RewriteRule ^/repository(.*)
/home/galaxy/database/ftp/%{LA-U:REMOTE_USER}$1

     <Directory /var/webdav>
         Options Indexes FollowSymlinks MultiViews
         AllowOverride None
         Order Allow,Deny
         Allow from all

         # set the galaxy user and group for your vhosts to use
 AssignUserId galaxy galaxy

         # here follows the PAM authentication in order to allow users
registered in the server itself
         # can be changed to ldap, htpasswd file, ...
         AuthType Basic
         AuthName Repository
         AuthPAM_Enabled on
         Require valid-user

         # activate mod_dav
         Dav On

     </Directory>

# It's necessary to create each user directory with the correct galaxy user
permissions!!!

# After that you can use a webdav client (cadaver) or map the network
directory in a filemanager (nautilus, konqueror, orca) to
view/edit/transfer files.

cadaver http://hostname/repository