TechNote (Archived)

Transferring files using WebDAV in UltraDev 4 with Internet Information Server 5.0

Dreamweaver UltraDev is no longer supported, and the Dreamweaver UltraDev support center will no longer be actively updated. The functionality available in Dreamweaver UltraDev is available in Dreamweaver, beginning with Dreamweaver MX. Accordingly, we are moving pertinent content to the Dreamweaver support center. Please refer to the Dreamweaver version of this technote: Configuring WebDAV in IIS for use with Dreamweaver (TechNote 19095).

Introduction

There are different ways to set up Web-based Distributed Authoring and Versioning (WebDAV) for sharing files over the Internet. This TechNote explains one method that allows a website authoring team to modify live files on an IIS-hosted website using Dreamweaver. To set up this type of configuration, developers need to configure two websites in Microsoft's Internet Information Services (IIS) server.

Note: The Dreamweaver UltraDev 4.01 Updater addresses several issues with UltraDev's original implementation of WebDAV. For an explanation of these fixes, please see the TechNote: Troubleshooting WebDAV Connections (TechNote 15167).

Defining and configuring two IIS site instances

Essentially, it is necessary to define two distinct web sites: one to handle normal browser traffic and a second which will be dedicated to handling WebDAV requests.

Website 1: Setting up a website for normal browser (HTTP) requests.

Define a new website in IIS which uses port 80.
Use restricted permissions for the Home Directory. For example, allow "Read" access and set "Execute Permissions" to "Scripts Only".
Allow anonymous login.

Website 2: Setting up a second IIS website devoted to handling WebDAV requests.

Define a second site in IIS, pointing to the same folder but using port 81.
Allow most or all permissions for the Home Directory and set "Execute Permissions" to "Scripts and Executables".
Disable the ASP script server, the ColdFusion script server or other script server you may be using. You do this by clicking the "Configuration..." button in the screen shot above and removing the appropriate DLL.
Because the WebDAV site is much more permissive, do not allow anonymous login. Use "Basic authentication".

Note: You cannot use "Integrated Windows authentication" because it requires interactive dialog prompting that cannot pass through WebDAV.

Defining the site in Dreamweaver UltraDev

At this point, you can proceed with configuring a Dreamweaver UltraDev Site definition which uses the normal site for your Application Server...
...and the WebDAV site for your Remote Information.

When setting up the WebDAV user name and password for the Remote Information in UltraDev 4, you should use a name and password that allows you to log into the WebDAV site. That is, this should pass the Basic Authentication set up for the Directory Security for the site as it was configured in the IIS Internet Services Manager.

Note: Configuring an Apache Web server site to handle both browser traffic and WebDAV requests also requires a setup procedure which is a bit more painstaking. For more information about this Apache-specific process, please review mod_dav Installation and Configuration at the WebDAV.org web site.