WebDAV Limitations and Issues

While WebDAV provides a number of benefits, it is important to note that WebDAV is an extension of the HTTP protocol, and is unrelated to the vBoxxCloud system. Some of its limitations and known issues may not be controlled by the vBoxxCloud support team.

Microsoft Patches and Updates

In some instances, Microsoft patches and updates have been known to cause issues with WebDAV. For example:

• Office update 1704.8067.2115 might prevent Excel files from opening over WebDAV. While we investigate this issue, you can optionally downgrade Microsoft Office to a previous build and report the issue to Microsoft.
  
  
• If it can be avoided, we recommend that you do not install the following patches:
• Microsoft update KB3101521 has been known to cause issues when opening Microsoft Office 2010 files over WebDAV.
• Microsoft update KB3008923 has been known to cause WebDAV login prompt issues, and issues with the WebDAV login prompt not accepting credentials. Microsoft has released update MS3025390 to address issues related to update MS3008923.
• Microsoft update KB3055034 has been known to break Microsoft Office 2010’s ability to open files over WebDAV.
• Microsoft update KB3054886 has also been known to break Microsoft Office 2010’s ability to open files over WebDAV.

Limitations and Expected Behavior

WebDAV and vBoxxCloud's Context Menu

When working through WebDAV, end users will not have access to vBoxxCloud’s right-click context menu. Without the right-click context menu, end users will not be able to lock files, create a share link, launch the web portal, or view file revisions from their local machines. This is expected behavior, and is not related to the vBoxxCloud service.

WebDAV Locks are Not Compatible with and vBoxxCloud Locks

Files cannot be locked or unlocked from WebDAV. WebDAV locks function in a way that would result in excessive bandwidth and CPU usage for vBoxxCloud desktop clients that are syncing the same locked file. Due to this technical hurdle, the WebDAV client can only honor locks that vBoxxCloud places on a file, which results in an error upon saving a locked file. For this reason, locking files through WebDAV is not supported at this time.

Multiple Login Prompts

In some instances, end users might be prompted to log in each time they open or save a Microsoft Office file while working in WebDAV. While the vBoxxCloud support team cannot prevent Microsoft Office from prompting for credentials, it might be possible to configure Microsoft Office so that end users do not have to enter credentials each time they open or save files in a mapped drive. 

Other Known Issues

Other known WebDAV issues have been noted related to accessing files through WebDAV. For example:

• Uploading large files (over 100 MB) might fail (refer to this TechNet article for more information).
• Microsoft Word files might open in Read-only mode (refer to this TechCenter discussion for more information).
• WebDAV might disconnect at random intervals.
• WebDAV might fail to restore mapping after rebooting the operating system.
• Security such as firewalls, packet sniffing, deep packet inspection, intrusion preventing, and so forth;
• Unstable internet connection at the client's site; or
• Microsoft and Mac clients poorly handling the WebDAV connection.
• For information on how end users use WebDAV, please reference the How Do I Map a Drive Using WebDAV Knowledgebase article.

 

These known issues are not related to vBoxxCloud , but might be connected with one of the following:

Possible Workarounds

In some instances, you might see improved performance when using a third-party application (such as Cyberduck or WebDrive) to replace MS Explorer or Mac Finder. Please note however, that these third-party applications are not supported by the vBoxxCloud support team.