Installing and Using the iFolder Client
Installing and
Using the iFolder Client
iFolder is a Net services software solution that allows your
files to automatically follow you everywhere---online, offline, all
the time---across multiple workstations and the Net. It no longer
matters where you are; iFolder securely synchronizes any local
files that you've placed in your iFolder directory across all your
workstations and the iFolder server. All you need is an active
Internet or network connection and the iFolder client or a Web
browser.
iFolder provides you with the flexibility of working on your local files, online or offline, from your different computers at work, school, home-even from a computer halfway around the world. iFolder provides the following benefits:
With iFolder, you always know your files are secure, accessible, and up-to-date. Your work environment now revolves around you, and your data is with you, wherever you are.
Installing
the iFolder Client on Your Workstations
Install the iFolder client on every workstation that you
typically use, including your desktops and laptops at work and
home. The client supports the following Microsoft* operating
systems:
You need the iFolder client on your workstation to take advantage of the automatic synchronization feature of iFolder. However, you can access your files on the iFolder server from any computer or handheld device using a Web browser and an active Internet or network connection.
Prerequisites
An ITSS server administrator must enable your username for
iFolder services before you can create and activate an iFolder
account for that username. your username is the same as your
network user ID.
Before you install the client, make sure your workstation meets the following prerequisites:
Configuration
Procedures
The first time you log in to the iFolder server, iFolder
creates and activates an iFolder account for you on the iFolder
server. You must configure the iFolder client before you can use
it. ITSS server administration sets iFolder client and server
policies that govern which features and settings of the iFolder
client you can personalize and which are mandatory. Some of the
options mentioned in the following instructions might be dimmed
(viewable but not modifiable) or absent, depending on the policies
set for your account.
Your local iFolder directory can be in a different location on each of your workstations, if desired. The location path, including the drive letter and backslash (\) characters, cannot exceed 259 characters. Also, the path is the exact location of your iFolder files
In Windows 2000 and XP, the default location is c:\documents and settings\logon\my documents\ifolder\username\home. For Windows 98, the default location is c:\my documents\ifolder\username\home. Logon is your Windows logon name, such as Administrator or Alice Catt. Username is your iFolder user ID, such as acatt.
iFolder prompts you for the user password whenever you log in to the iFolder server. If you save the password, you do not see the Login dialog box during the login process.
Although automatic login is convenient, it might not be a desirable option in an environment where passwords change frequently. iFolder authenticates your password against the LDAP directory and is not aware of password changes made at the network level. You must be logged in to iFolder to disable the Remember Password option. If you change your password while logged out of iFolder, you might inadvertently lock yourself out of the iFolder client.
In addition, iFolder synchronizes your files as soon as you log in to the iFolder server and intermittently after that as long as you have an active connection to the server and your Web browser is set to work online. There might be occasions when you do not want iFolder to synchronize files automatically, such as when you want to reserve limited bandwidth for other activities.
To modify your Save Password preference later: Log in to iFolder, right-click the iFolder icon in the system tray, click Account Information > Preferences, then check or uncheck the Remember Password check box.
iFolder stores your iFolder data locally in clear text. If you enable encryption, iFolder encrypts your iFolder data before it sends files across public or private connections to be stored on the iFolder server and synchronized to your other workstations. Files remain encrypted on the iFolder server and in transit. When it downloads files from the iFolder server, iFolder decrypts files as they arrive at the workstation and stores them locally in clear text. Currently, iFolder uses the Blowfish encryption algorithm.
This setting applies for the life of the account and across all workstations.
iFolder uses the passphrase to create the encryption key that it uses to encrypt files it uploads and decrypt files it downloads between your computer and the iFolder server.
If you forget your passphrase or type an incorrect passphrase, iFolder automatically responds with the hint you provide. For example, Mother's maiden name, Dog's nickname, or My favorite song.
iFolder prompts you for the encryption passphrase whenever you log in to the iFolder server. If you save the passphrase, you do not see the Passphrase dialog box during the iFolder login process.
To modify your Remember Passphrase preference later: Log in to iFolder, right-click the iFolder icon in the system tray, click Account Information > Preferences, then check or uncheck the Remember Passphrase check box.
If this option is enabled, iFolder encrypts your passphrase using the iFolder administrator's Security Passphrase and stores it encrypted on the iFolder server. If you forget your passphrase and your passphrase hint does not help you recall it, your iFolder administrator can access your passphrase and tell you what it is.
Your Passphrase, Hint, and Passphrase Recovery settings apply for the life of the account and across all workstations. The Remember Passphrase option applies only to the current workstation and is modifiable.
If you enabled the desktop shortcut in Step 4.e, iFolder places the shortcut on the desktop. If there is no shortcut, right-click the iFolder icon in the system tray, then click Open iFolder to access your local iFolder directory.
If this is the first iFolder client install, iFolder uploads the files from the local iFolder directory to the iFolder server. For subsequent client installs to other workstations, iFolder downloads files from the iFolder server to the local iFolder directory.
Using the iFolder
Client
After you install and configure the Novell iFolder client,
an iFolder client session begins each time your restart your
computer. An iFolder icon appears in your system tray. Activate
your Internet or network connection and log in to the iFolder
server when you want iFolder to synchronize your files
automatically or on demand.
You can access your local iFolder directory and files using your default directory browser. If you placed a shortcut on your desktop, double-click this shortcut to open a directory browser to your local iFolder directory. You can also right-click the iFolder icon in the system tray, then select Open iFolder to access your local iFolder directory.
As you work with your local files, the iFolder client session runs in the background to track and log any changes you make to the files in your local iFolder directory. Activate your Internet connection and log in to the iFolder server to activate the synchronization process. iFolder downloads and uploads your personal files instantly and securely, if encryption is enabled. You can remain logged in for continuous synchronization, or log in periodically, depending on the requirements of your work environment. Your connection to the iFolder server can break if the server or the connection becomes unavailable or if you set your Web browser to work offline.
The iFolder server backs up your local files and enables you to synchronize files among your many workstations. Your files are always protected on the network and easily recovered if your local data is lost. And later, when you move to a different location or a different workstation, and log in to the iFolder server, the iFolder client automatically updates your local iFolder directory to reflect the work you did elsewhere---with no floppies or manual file transfers required.
iFolder
Documentation
To access Help for the iFolder client, right-click the
iFolder icon in your system tray, then click Help.
GHSU iFolder Web Site
ITSS maintains an iFolder Web site with information about your iFolder service. To access this site, right-click the iFolder icon, then click iFolder Web Site.
Documentation on the Novell Web
Site
For more information on using iFolder and for
synchronization tips and tricks:
The manual is viewable online in HTML format using your default Web browser. You can also view or download the manual in PDF format, which many users prefer for convenience in printing and offline study. We recommend Adobe* Acrobat* Reader* 5.0 or later for best results. The Adobe viewer is available at the Adobe Web site.
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