When you’re looking to install a file server on your network, you’ll probably have to choose between Samba and WebDAV. Both services require the same port 80 or 443 for connectivity. Both must be accessible from outside the network, as well. However, there are differences Samba vs WebDav.
Samba Vs WebDAV
Samba
Samba and webdav both work with standard network shares. Samba allows you to publish and receive files through a UNIX socket. However, webdav requires port 80 or 443 and must be accessible to the outside world. If you want to use both protocols, you must use the appropriate server configuration.
Samba is widely used as a network attached storage and is a powerful tool when managing data across a network. It is available on several platforms and supports many protocols. WebDAV is a protocol that uses HTTP to send and receive files across a network. Let’s continue to see the difference between Samba vs WebDav
WebDAV
One of the first things you’ll notice with WebDAV is that it doesn’t require a server address to connect to. Instead, it uses a unique URL that points to a directory on the web site. To connect to a specific folder on your web host, you must first create a WebDAVFiles folder. Each implementation has different requirements.
WebDAV uses the HTTPS transport protocol to transfer files. HTTPS is safer than plain-text. However, there is some debate about which method is faster. Since WebDAV does not require a new connection each time you need to access a file, it will reduce the amount of time it takes to transfer a file. However, many experts have said that FTP is faster than WebDAV.
CalDAV
There are many reasons to use a web-based calendar system, and CalDAV may be an excellent choice. This protocol allows users to choose the calendaring application that they use to manage appointments and other events. It also offers many extensions. For instance, many CalDAV servers can automatically schedule meetings. In addition, WebDAV is used by Apple to manage its iCalendar subscriptions.
Although WebDAV is very similar to SMB and NFS, it is easier to use. It can mount a file system over the internet. It is supported by most major operating systems, and it can be accessed from a web browser or server.
GroupDAV
When choosing between Samba and webdav for GroupDAV, you need to consider how each works with your existing configuration and network infrastructure. Both protocols claim that they are capable of handling complex setups and complex file-sharing protocols, but there are some differences between them.
WebDAV is an extension of the Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) that enables collaborative editing of files on World Wide Web servers. The Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) defined WebDAV in RFC 4918. Samba is an example of a server-based implementation of this protocol.
TrueNAS
If you’re trying to share datasets with multiple users, one of the best ways is with WebDAV, which is short for Web-based Distributed Authoring and Versioning. It makes sharing datasets with other people much simpler. To share a dataset, create it and select the name and description you’d like to share with others. Next, you can specify the read-only option, which prevents other users from making changes to the data you share.
If you’re worried about your data being at risk, TrueNAS offers more protection. It’s built with AES-XTS encryption and has built-in RAID protection. Moreover, you can also access files remotely from the storage cluster using snapshots. Other features include an extensive library, which you can use to store and manage your data. TrueNAS also supports third-party plug-ins for media streaming and alternative protocols, which can be very useful. TrueNAS also offers a multilingual web interface that makes it easier to manage the complex system.
Davenport
Davenport is a popular open-source web file system that is used by many web applications. Its binary distribution is available in a standalone Jetty Servlet container and zip or tar archives. Alternatively, it is available as a Linux RPM package that you can install on your server. I tested Davenport on Fedora Core 2 and found it to preserve directory structure.
Davenport is a servlet-based webDAV gateway that allows users to access SMB and Windows shared resources using any web browser. They can browse and upload files from shared folders, just as if they were local folders. This software is available for Windows, Mac, and Linux systems. We hope you got the difference between Samba vs WebDav