How to configure a WebDAV server using rclone

Introduction

WebDAV is an extension of the HTTP protocol that allows you share files remotely. Most web server software such as Apache HTTPhave built-in WebDAV modules but they usually require complex configuration steps.

One of the easiest ways to configure a WebDAV server is by using rclone.

Rclone is a command line application used to manage files on cloud storage, but it also be used to configure a WebDAV server.

Step 1

1. Install rclone.

$ sudo dnf install rclone -y

1. Take a look at the rclone serve webdav command:

rclone serve webdav remote:path [flags]

The remote:path specifies the directory for the WebDAV server.

For example:

/media/webdav/

We will use the addr, user, and pass flags.

The addr flag is used to specify the IP address and port.

--addr 192.168.4.200:8111

The user flag is used to specify a username. Choose a new name that doesn't exist on the server.

--user poochie

The pass flag is the password for the WebDAV user.

--pass myRandomPassword

1. Here is the full command to start the WebDAV server:

$ rclone serve webdav /media/webdav/ --addr 192.168.4.200:8111 --user poochie --pass myRandomPassword

Step 2

Create a custom systemd unit file to control the WebDAV server.

1. Create a bash script that contains the complete rclone serve command.

$ sudo vi /usr/bin/rclone/rclone_webdav.sh

#!/bin/bash
/usr/bin/rclone serve webdav /media/webdav/ --addr 192.168.4.200:8111 --user poochie --pass myRandomPassword

1. Make the script executable.

$ chmod +X /usr/bin/rclone/rclone_webdav.sh

1. Create a systemd unit file for the script.

$ vi /etc/systemd/system/rclone_webdav.service

1. Add the following lines:

[Unit]
Description=Rclone WebDAV Service
After=network.target

[Service]
ExecStart=/usr/bin/rclone/rclone_webdav.sh
Restart=always

[Install]
WantedBy=multi-user.target

1. Run the following systemctl commands to start the service:

$ systemctl daemon-reload
$ systemctl start rclone_webdav.service
$ systemctl enable rclone_webdav.service

1. Verify the WebDAV server is running:

$ systemctl status rclone_webdav.service