HTTP Commander  AJS 3.x
Manual

Note! This Manual is for the "Forms authentication" version. This version requires you to create each account and store credentials in the HTTP Commander XML database. If you have Windows server or Active Directory accounts already and want to use them in the HTTP Commander, you need to download the "Windows authentication" version! This Manual is for the Forms authentication version only!

Web file manager
Free Installation assistance

HTTP Commander common FAQ


How can I update my existing installation with the latest version without losing config and settings?
Answer:

Note 1 Old versions (prior to 1.7 version) of HTTP Commander stored settings in the appSettings collection of the web.config file, there was no HttpCommanderSettings.config file. You need to manually port the settings to the new configuration file.

Note 2 You may skip the step of revising NTFS permissions on installation files if you copy new distribution files over the old installation or if you restore permissions with icacls utility. In copy over scenario you need to manually remove files that are missing in the new version of HTTP Commander.



I got a "Request for the permission of type 'System.Web.AspNetHostingPermission... error

Answer: Problem related to latest Windows 2008 security. You need to unblock HTTPCommanderAJS3.x.x.zip (Distribution archive) file because it came from another PC (Internet) and then extract it to HTCOMNET folder again. Restart the application after this (Close w3we.exe process). See Installation section how to unblock files.


I can't install the application. Is there anybody why can help me?

Answer: You can run diagnostics and look for known problems. If you can't run the application or configure folders, we offer free installation assistance for both trial and commercial licenses. You can get help via email, instant messenger or via remote access to your server. You only need a few minutes to get online help.



How can I restart the application?

Answer: To restart the application, click the "Restart" button in the Admin panel. Also to restart the application, you can make some changes in the Web.config file (e.g. add a spacer in any comment). The Application will restart automatically.
For full application restart (only if you have some system errors!):



How can I change the logo or top header?

Answer: You can add a logo to the toolbar or to the top panel (at the top of file manager window).

  1. To change logo on the top panel, modify the LogoHeaderHtml parameter at Application settings.
    Note. If you insert an image, in its' html style tag, make sure you specify the sizes in pixels: style="width:Wpx;height:Hpx;".
  2. To show the logo on the toolbar, add "logo" to the ToolbarButtons1 or ToolbarButtons2 parameter at Application settings.

    To modify logo (set your own image):



How does HTTP Commander control user's count?

Answer: HTTP Commander controls user session count and unique user's names. A new session is created for every visitor. Each user can have a few sessions if he doesn't clicked logout button. But after 1 hour, the session is closed automatically. To terminate existing sessions by yourself, you need to restart the application.



How can I use HTTP Commander with SSL?

Answer: HTTP Commander works both with http and https protocols. http protocol works out of box. To enable https protocol, you need to install an SSL certificate on IIS. The instructions below describe how to order a certificate from a globally recognized certificate authority (recommended option) and how to create a self-signed certificate.

A self-signed certificate will allow you to use the https protocol, but the web browser will warn that the certificate is not valid since it comes from an unknown authority. To get a certificate that passes verification, you need to either order a certificate at a globally recognized certificate authority, or establish a trusted authority inside your corporate network.

Order certificate at a globally recognized certificate authority

As an example we consider ordering a certificate at Thawte. You may choose any other authority you trust.

Install Self-Signed certificate

A self-signed certificate is untrusted by definition. The web browser will warn you about the problem when you try to open a web site with untrusted certificate.

Screenshot

WebDAV over https with invalid certificate works unreliably. While web browser will warn you about the problem and allow you to proceed, WebDAV may refuse to connect to the web folder with a misleading error message. You may circumvent the problem by installing self-signed certificate into the trusted authorities container on the client machine.

Install untrusted certificate into trusted authorities container

  1. Open Internet Explorer with administrative rights
  2. Open target site using https

    Screenshot
  3. Confirm that you want to proceed in spite of the security problem.

    Screenshot
  4. Click "Certificate Error" Security report on the address bar, then click the "View certificates" link in the pop-up window.

    Screenshot
  5. Click the "Install Certificate" button in the certificate properties window.

    Screenshot
  6. Click "Next" in the Certificate Import Wizard. On the next step, "Certificate Store", select "Place all certificates in the following store", in the "Certificate store" field select "Trusted Root Certification Authorities". Click "Next".

    Screenshot
  7. Click Finish to close the Certificate Import Wizard.
  8. Click "Yes" in the security warning dialog box.

    Screenshot


How can I use site common authentication with the application?

Answer: If you have your own ASP.NET authentication at your site you can pass users to HTTP Commander without extra authentication. Also in such a case you don't need to create users in the HTTP Commander Admin panel. You can create just the folders and assign folders to the users by typing their names in text box (not from list).
To make common authentication at site and application you need to modify your site Web.Config file and application Web.config file: Place the same line in both of the files inside the <system.web> area:

For more information, read this article http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/eb0zx8fc.aspx

See CommonAuthentication section for more detailed info and examples

How can I skip Forms authentication?

Answer: If you have provided an access to some files for all visitors, but there's no need to use Forms authentication for all users or only some of them, you can use the following methods:



We have our own users/folders database. How we can use it in HTTP Commander?

Answer: First, read the 2 previous questions (How can I skip Forms authentication?, How can I use site common authentication at application?). If it is not enough then you can modify the code of Default.aspx and programmatically control authentication and folders:
Find the function called "SetPersonalConfiguration" and see its code example. Don't forget to "uncomment" it (remove "//" at the line of its call).
Contact Element-IT support if you need help in code modifications for your needs.

Can the first loading process be faster?

Answer: The HTTP Commander has AJAX and 100% Java Script interface so it works rather quickly like a local application. When a visitor logons the HTTP Commander for the first time, it takes some time to load *.js and *.css files. Such files are stored in a browser cache for some months, so the next logons will be much quicker.
You can make even the first loading process faster if you enable gzip compression in the IIS settings. With gzip enabled, the loading is 4-5 times faster. You need to enable gzip for static and dynamic content (*.js and *.css files). See article how to enable compression in IIS 7 (Win 2008) or for IIS 6 (Win 2003).
Download the trial HTTP Sniffer to test if the compression works successfully.
Screenshots for IIS 7, 8

Can I make the application faster (increase performance)?

Answer: Yes. There are a few things that can help you make the application faster. You can do all or just some of them:

If I map a folder I get the error "The folder you entered does not appear to be valid..."?

Answer: First, try to map folder "http://demo.element-it.com/examples/demowindows/hcwebdav" (without quotes). If it doesn't show the error and asks for credentials then it works (You can use demo/demo credentials). If mapping demo folder works but it doesn't map your application link, then the problem is with the application or WebDAV configuration. Check web folders mapping setup or contact us.
You cannot map folders in Server OS like Windows 2003, 2008 or 2012 by default. So, please test mapping from a non-server PC. If you want to map to Server OS then you need to do some steps:

I got an "Access to path '...' is denied" error.

Answer: The problem is related to the NTFS permissions. Check the NTFS permissions for HTCOMNET, data and your main content folders. See the NTFS Permissions section of the Documentation.

I got The page cannot be found error (error 404) when I open http://localhost/HTCOMNET/default.aspx or any other page.

Answer: If you are sure that the path http://localhost/HTCOMNET/default.aspx exists but you are still getting the error, it means that the IIS doesn't execute ASP.NET code.
Reasons:
1. You should allow ASP.NET 2.0 or 4.0 running in Web service extension list. See "Application Install" section of the Documentation.
2. This problem occurs if your IIS was installed after the .NET framework installation. Reinstall the .NET framework or execute the following command as administrator:

On a 32-bit system:

%windir%\Microsoft.NET\Framework\v4.0.21006\aspnet_regiis.exe -i
			    

On a 64-bit system:

%windir%\Microsoft.NET\Framework64\v4.0.30319\aspnet_regiis.exe -i
			    


I see the page with ASP.NET tags at the top e.g. "<%@ Page Language="C#" %>".

Answer: ASP.NET has not started on the server and you have opened pages like clear HTML. See the "Application Install" section.

I got a "Required permissions cannot be acquired" error.

I got a "Request for the permission of type 'System.Security.Permissions... error.

Answer: Both errors can be related to "Full trust" level. Check if "Full trust" is enabled for HTCOMNET application. For windows 2008, 2012 see the "Application Install" section.
For windows 2003 open the file C:\WINDOWS\Microsoft.NET\Framework\v2.0.50727\CONFIG\web.config and add the code below, save the file.

Also, check the permissions for "NETWORK SERVICE" or "IIS APPPOOL\DefaultAppPool" user on the HTCOMNET folder as well. See the NTFS permissions section.

I got a "Internet Explorer cannot download Download.ashx from [domainname]" error while a file was being downloaded.

Answer: If you are using SSL, check Internet Explorer settings: Tools-> Internet Options-> Advanced-> Security-> uncheck "Do not save encrypted pages to disk". By default this option is unchecked. If the option is checked, the files cannot be saved from any SSL website.

I got a "Server Application Unavailable" error.

Answer: There are two reasons for such error:
  1. The problem can appear because ASP.NET 2.0 and ASP.NET 1.1 applications are being used by the same pool. Check all your applications in IIS and set one application pool for the applications running under ASP.NET 2.0 and another pool for applications running under ASP.NET 1.1.
  2. There are not enough NTFS permissions to HTCOMNET folder. See the NTFS permissions section of the Documentation.
There can also be some other reasons. You can try to restart the application.

I got the Error "500.19" at web.config file ("modules" section).

Answer: This error can occur if you are using IIS 7 or 8 and you have disabled some features of web.config to delegate. In most cases it occurs with the "modules" feature. You should open IIS, click the server root in the left tree. At the right panel, open "Feature Delegation", then Select "Modules" and change its delegation type to "Read/Write". If you have the error with other features, then set the delegation type for the other features.
Screenshot

I've opened "Silverlight" file uploader tab but the window is empty.

Answer:

Does HTTP Commander support Web garden or Web farm?

Answer: No. HTTP Commander is running but does not work correctly if you have web garden or web farm enabled in IIS. Check if you have enabled web garden in the application pool settings and disable it or create a new pool for HTTP Commander. You should use only one worker process for the application.

Is HTTP Commander supports file solutions like DFS folders, UNC folders, ABE, NAS?

Answer: Yes, it supports DFS, UNC, ABE, NAS and most other file related Windows Server technologies. First you would set up the folder in the Admin panel. Then type the path to the DFS folder like \\domain\foldername or UNC like \\servername\share\folder. For ABE see more info here.

How Can I configure documents management features like Google docs, MS Office and OpenOffice online edit?

Answer: All info related to documents management features is described in the Application settings section.

Can my users type their address and other info while performing self registration?

Answer: Yes, there is a special free custom field in the Accounts.xml file to store any extra info. In the Default.aspx code file you can find txtRegisterExtraInfo textarea — this textarea visible at registration form. You can make its size greater if you need to. Also for localization of XML files there is a parameter: <RegisterExtraInfo>Extra info</RegisterExtraInfo>. You can replace "Extra info" text with your custom like "Type your address here".

Can I pass some settings in URL?

Answer: Yes, you can pass some settings in the URL:
How can I share remote folders (stored at another server within internal network)?
Answer:
You can share remote folders but you need to take the steps listed below:

How can I add Static Content Role service at IIS7?
Answer:
To add Static Content role go to
Start -> Administrative Tools -> Server Manager -> Roles.
Find in the right list the Web Server (IIS) role and click the Add Role Services link.
In the new window check Static Content, and then click Next and then Install button.
Screenshots

When I am authenticated for "Download/Upload from/to Google", I got the "The site "http://yourdomainname.com" has not been registered." error.
Answer:
Open your account management page at Google where the yourdomainname.com domain is registered and on the MangeDomain page, specify your domain in the Target URL Path prefix field.
Screenshots

How do I protect configuration files (prevent them to be retrieved by users)?

Answer: HTTP Commander stores configuration data on the server in a number of files. For security reasons, it is recommended to prevent users from retrieving them, since they expose sensitive information about the application. Configuration files are: web.config, HttpCommanderSettings.config, .xml file in the Data folder. web.config, HttpCommanderSettings.config files are protected by default. .xml files in Data folder are protected via the following section in web.config file (in case of trouble make sure these settings are present in the configuration file).

	<location path="Data">
		<system.web>
			<httpHandlers>
				<add path="*.xml" verb="*" type="System.Web.HttpForbiddenHandler"/>
			</httpHandlers>
		</system.web>
		<system.webServer>
			<!-- Setting only for IIS 7 and 7.5 -->
			<security>
				<requestFiltering>
					<fileExtensions>
						<add fileExtension=".xml" allowed="false" />
					</fileExtensions>
				</requestFiltering>
			</security>
		</system.webServer>
	</location>
    

In IIS 7 and above, configuration is restricted to web.config file. For IIS 5, 6 you need to proceed one step further to complete the setup. Map the .xml file name extension to ASP.NET as described in KB815152, Edit Script Mappings in Internet Services Manager section. Apply the setting to the HTTP Commander virtual directory.

To test the settings, try to download the configuration files with a browser (http://server/HttpCommander/Data/Accounts.xml). You should see

Screenshots

Can I use SSO?

HTTP Commander includes examples of Single Sign-On (SSO) both for Basic authentication and authentication via Form (for Active Directory users).

Summary

Details

In all cases except Forms authentication across applications, you should have valid credentials to authenticate in HTTP Commander. Thus SSO topic breaks up into two subtopics: obtaining credentials and authenticating in the Web file manager.



When I become authorized in SkyDrive I receive the "'evt_Login_onload' is undefined" error.

Answer: This error can arise in Internet Explorer. For its elimination add in "Trusted sites" (on Security tab in IE options) the following urls:
https://auth.gfx.ms
https://live.login.com
https://signup.live.com

The Default.aspx page is incorrectly displayed.
If Default.aspx page is displayed incorrectly, as on a screenshot below
Screenshot
please check the following:


I got the Error HTTP 403.18 - Forbidden when open files from Images/resources_1.5 folder
This error means that in IIS installed URLScan ISAPI Filter and it is configured so that not allowed URLs in which path there are folders having in the name of a dots (parameter AllowDotInPath=0).
For the solution of this problem see how to configure URLScan Tool in IIS 7+ or in IIS 6.