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 Linux desktops:
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.
Your iFolder administrator must provision your username for iFolder services before you can create and activate an iFolder account for that username. Typically, your username is the same as your network user ID. If you want to share an iFolder account with a small group of users, ask your iFolder administrator to create and provision a shared identity in the LDAP directory.
Before you install the client, make sure your workstation meets the following prerequisites:
For iFolder icon to be visible on the panel, ensure Notification Area / System Tray is present on GNOME /KDE.
Log on to the super user mode. This ensures that you have privileges to install software.
(Conditional) Uninstall any prototype version of the client that exists on the desktop. This ensures a clean install.
Download the novell-ifolder-client.rpm file, the client install program.
Extract and install the .rpm file by executing the following command at the console prompt:
rpm -i novell-ifolder-client.rpm -h -v
Or
rpm -U novell-ifolder-client.rpm -h -v
where
For more details, refer to the man page of rpm command by executing man rpm at the system console.
Wait while the rpm extracts and installs the package.
Verify that the package was installed successfully by executing the following:
rpm -qa | grep novell-ifolder-client
where
-grep: Enables the search for the specified file
View the list of files by executing the following:
rpm - ql novell-ifolder-client
where
ql: Enables query list
View the iFolder man page by executing man novell-ifolder-client at the system console.
Continue with 5.0 Configuration Procedures.
You must configure the iFolder client before you can use it.The first time you log in to the iFolder server, iFolder creates and activates an iFolder account for you on the iFolder server. Your iFolder administrator 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 disabled based on the policies set for your account.
Verify that the Internet or network connection is enabled.
Start an iFolder client session, by executing the following command in the system console:
novell-ifolder-client
Or
Launch it from the Menu Panel
The inactive iFolder icon appears on your status bar.
Complete the login information.
Enter your iFolder user ID.
For example, acatt or jsmith.
Enter your password.
Specify the iFolder server where your iFolder data and account information reside.
Get the server information from your iFolder administrator.
To place a shortcut to your local iFolder directory on your current desktop, check the iFolder Shortcut check box. This setting can vary between workstations.
Click Login.
Browse to and select the area on your hard drive where you want to create your local iFolder directory and store your iFolder files, then click OK.
Your local iFolder directory can be in a different location on each of your workstations, if desired. If the iFolder location is a remote filesystem, then it should be in users home directory. The complete location path cannot exceed 259 characters. Also, the path is the exact location of your iFolder files.
Specify your security preferences.
Check the Save Password check box to enable the iFolder client to save your password and log in to the iFolder server from this workstation.
iFolder prompts you for the user password whenever you log in to the iFolder server.
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. 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.
(Highly recommended) Check the Encrypt Files check box to encrypt your files for transmission and for storage on the iFolder server.
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.
Click OK.
(Conditional) If you enabled encryption in Step 5, specify your encryption passphrase preferences.
Specify your encryption passphrase, then type it again to confirm it.
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.
Specify a hint that helps remind you of your passphrase.
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.
Check the Remember Passphrase check box to enable the iFolder client to save your passphrase and enter the passphrase automatically during the login process.
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 on the status bar, click Account Information > Preferences, then check or uncheck the Remember Passphrase check box.
Click OK.
(Highly recommended) Check the Enable Passphrase Recovery check box to enable your iFolder administrator to recover your passphrase.
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.
Click OK.
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.
The iFolder client logs in to the iFolder server and uses your configuration information to create and activate your account on the iFolder server. If the login succeeds and the connection between the iFolder client and the iFolder server is active, the iFolder icon changes from inactive to active in your system tray.
If you enabled the desktop shortcut in Step 3e, iFolder places the shortcut on the desktop. If there is no shortcut, right-click the iFolder icon on the status bar, then click Open iFolder to access your local iFolder directory.
Launch the iFolder help for detailed instructions on the tasks that you can perform using the iFolder client.
To launch help, right-click the iFolder Client > Help.
Synchronize your files.
Place the files you want to synchronize in the local iFolder directory that you specified in Step 4.
Open your directory browser, then move or copy the files to your local iFolder directory.
Click the iFolder icon, then click Sync Now.
If your system administrator enabled automatic synchronization, the iFolder client synchronizes files with the iFolder server immediately.
The 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.
To automatically start iFolder Linux client, when the Linux System reboots, complete the following:
Select System > Personal Settings >Sessions.
In Sessions screen, select Startup Programs tab, Press Add and then add the following to the start up command:
/opt/novell/ifolder/bin/novell-ifolder-client
Include the link in $HOME/.kde/Autostart.
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