Linux – Ubuntu

In this manual, we will show you how to configure and use the Radboud Data Repository (RDR) on Linux Ubuntu. We chose Ubuntu since it is the most commonly-used desktop distribution of Linux. However, other desktop distributions of Linux have similar ways of configuring the WebDAV client. This manual explains how to configure the RDR via the file manager. If you prefer a command-line based approach, we suggest using Cadaver. When using Cadaver, use the WebDAV URL https://webdav.data.ru.nl instead of the URL mentioned under Step 1.3 to connect to the server.

If you encounter problems or errors when transferring data, you can contact the ICT helpdesk (email: icthelpdesk@ru.nl, telephone: 0031 (0)24 3622222).

Step 1: Create a connection to the RDR

  1. Open the file manager

  2. Click on + Other Locations on the left of your screen.

  3. At the bottom of the screen under Connect to Server, type davs://webdav.data.ru.nl to access all your collections or enter the specific WebDAV URL of a collection you are working on, then click Connect.

    ../../../_images/Ubuntu_server.png

Next, a screen pops up asking for your credentials.

Step 2: Enter your credentials

In this screen, enter the following information:

  • Username and Password: Fill in your data access credentials. You can find these credentials on the top right of the RDR under [Your name] > Data access credentials

  • Optional: Check the box Remember password until you log out

    ../../../_images/Ubuntu_credentials.png

Click Connect. You can now view the RDR folder in your file manager.

In order to add data to your RDR collection, simply drop files in the correct folder in your Linux file manager. Steps 3 to 5 will instruct you on how to do this.

Step 3: Open your RDR collection

The name of the folder of your collection is based on the collection identifier. This identifier can be found in the RDR underneath the title and abstract of your collection.

../../../_images/collection_identifier_place.png

The collection identifier consists of the following parts:

../../../_images/collection_identifier.png

These parts correspond to the folder structure in your Linux file manager (i.e. first your organisational unit and then the last part of the collection identifier).

Step 4: Work in Ubuntu file manager

You are currently in the folder that corresponds to the collection you want to work in. You can treat files in this folder just as you would do in ‘regular’ folders in Linux.

Step 5: Check uploaded files

You should always check whether your files are uploaded to the RDR. In order to do this, open the RDR in your browser and log in. Find your collection and select it. Under the tab files you should now see the files you have just added. To ensure that the data transfer is complete, you should always perform a checksum prior to deleting files from your original storage system or publication or archiving of your collection in the RDR.

Note: Uploading to the RDR can take some time (up to several hours), especially for large files. Please be patient when handling a lot of and/or large files.