Setting up WebDAV
In order for documents held in Safe4 to be available without using a web browser on a desktop or laptop computer, it is necessary for the Safe4 environment to be mapped as a network drive on the client device in question. This means that it will appear in the desktop or laptop file management system as a normal drive, with an associated drive letter (for example Z:/).
Please note that the drive mapping will be implemented from the perspective of a Safe4 user, and will require the Safe4 username and password to be entered during setup. It will also be exclusive to that particular machine. If WebDAV access is required by a specific user from multiple computers, the drive mapping process will have to be carried out on each machine. Safe4 will allow this to be done, and can support WebDAV access from multiple access points for a single user account.
Microsoft Windows
The examples provided in this document have been generated using Windows 10. This is functionally almost identical to earlier versions of Windows, but some previous versions may present problems depending on the extent to which Microsoft updates have been installed, and the service pack.
Important Note
In recent years support for WebDAV through MS Windows has become less and less reliable. If your version of Windows is fully patched and up to date, it is unlikely that mapping a network drive, as described below, will be successful. However, connecting to Safe4 through WebDAV is extremely reliable and effective, but it will be necessary to utilise methods other than Windows to establish a connection.
Several alternative methods are described in this section of the Safe4 guides. Please click here for further details.
Mapping a network drive
After opening Windows Explorer, select the option in the left-hand pane called “This PC”. The display will normally appear as follows:
In the menu bar at the top of the screen click “Computer”, and select the “Map Network Drive” option. Following this, a second dialog box will appear:
A drive letter may be chosen at this point. By clicking on the downward chevron next to the displayed letter (in this case T:), an alternative letter may be chosen from those available if preferred.
In the “Folder” field, enter the following URL:
https://www.safe-4.com/dfa
It is normally advisable to leave the “Reconnect at sign-in” option selected, to avoid having to repeat the process when WebDAV access to Safe4 is required.
Click “Finish”.
The next Dialog box will request a username and a password. This is the Safe4 username and password. Care should be taken when entering this, as it is case sensitive for both fields.
After the username and password have been entered, the user’s Safe4 home screen will be displayed in Windows Explorer as a series of folders.
Adding a Network Location
Microsoft are constantly issuing security updates for Windows, as well as other general enhancements. The content of these updates is not always published, and consequently the behaviour of Windows can occasionally change without any apparent reason. For this reason, it may be helpful to use another technique for gaining access to Safe4 through Windows Explorer should mapping a network drive not be successful.
Using the same basic approach as described above, after clicking on “Computer” select “Add a Network Location”. Follow the subsequent screen prompts in the Wizard, and when requested select Choose a Custom Network Location. The next screen will ask for an “Internet or Network Address”. Enter:
https://www.safe-4.com/dfa
You will then be requested to enter your Safe4 username and password, both of which are case sensitive. Following this you will have the option of giving your network location a name, and it will then be shown as one of the available resources on your computer:
Apple Computers
Safe4 can also be accessed through the Finder on an Apple Mac. This provides seamless access to the Safe4 system for any Mac application.
Mapping a network drive
To connect to Safe4 open a Finder window and select “Connect to server…” from the “Go” menu.
In the box marked “Server Address:” enter https://www.safe-4.com/dfa and click on Connect.
The next Dialog box will request a username and a password. This is the Safe4 username and password. Care should be taken when entering this, as it is case sensitive for both fields.
Once the username and password have been successfully entered OSX will show the contents of the Safe4 vaults in a Finder window.
