How to Use the 'cadaver' Command (with Examples)

Cadaver is a command-line tool for interacting with WebDAV servers. WebDAV, which stands for Web Distributed Authoring and Versioning, is an extension of HTTP designed to facilitate collaborative editing and file management over the Internet. Cadaver provides users with a straightforward way to manage files on a WebDAV server using Unix systems. It supports operations such as uploading, downloading, and deleting files, making it a versatile tool for those needing access to remote storage servers.

Use Case 1: Connect to the Server and Open the Root Collection

Code:

cadaver http://dav.example.com/

Motivation:

This basic use case illustrates how to initiate a connection to a WebDAV server. By connecting to the root collection of a server, users can start browsing and managing the files right at the top level. This is particularly useful when you need to quickly access or administer files that are stored directly on the root of the server. It’s a common scenario when the server does not require additional hierarchical navigation to reach the desired files or directories.

Explanation:

• cadaver: This is the command that invokes the cadaver application, which interacts with WebDAV servers.
• http://dav.example.com/: This URL specifies the location of the WebDAV server that the user wants to connect to. It uses HTTP, indicating that the connection is not encrypted.

Example Output:

dav:/> ls
Listing collection `/': Successful.
Coll:   Documents                          4096  Feb 15  2023
Coll:   Images                             2048  Mar 10  2023
        index.html                          512  Jan 25  2023

Use Case 2: Connect to a Server Using a Specific Port and Open a Specific Collection

Code:

cadaver http://dav.example.com:8022/foo/bar/

Motivation:

Sometimes, WebDAV servers are configured to listen on non-standard ports for increased security or organizational reasons. Additionally, users might need to directly access a specific directory deeper within the server structure instead of the root directory. This scenario is crucial when operating in environments with custom configurations or when you have direct access to a particular subfolder.

Explanation:

• cadaver: Initiates the connection using the cadaver tool.
• http://dav.example.com:8022/foo/bar/: The URL here specifies an HTTP connection to the server hosted at dav.example.com but on port 8022 instead of the default port 80. The /foo/bar/ path indicates a deeper directory within the server’s structure that the user wants to access directly.

Example Output:

dav:/foo/bar/> ls
Listing collection `/foo/bar/': Successful.
        file1.txt                           1024  Sep 12  2023
        file2.doc                           2048  Aug 28  2023

Use Case 3: Connect to a Server Using SSL

Code:

cadaver https://davs.example.com/

Motivation:

Security is crucial when transmitting data over the internet. Connecting to a server using SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) ensures that the data transferred between the client (your machine) and the server is encrypted. This is particularly important when handling sensitive or confidential files. WebDAV servers that support SSL provide an added layer of security required by organizations dealing with sensitive information.

Explanation:

• cadaver: Calls the cadaver utility to start the interaction.
• https://davs.example.com/: The URL starts with https, indicating a secure connection via SSL to the server at davs.example.com. Unlike the previous examples, data transferred using this URL will be encrypted for security.

Example Output:

dav:/> ls
Listing collection `/': Successful.
Coll:   SecureFiles                         4096  Oct 01  2023
        confidential.pdf                   10240  Sep 29  2023

Conclusion

Cadaver is a powerful command-line interface for users who need to interact with WebDAV servers from Unix-based systems. Its ability to manage files using standard web protocols, handle custom ports, and secure connections makes it a versatile tool for various environments. These examples illustrate the practical usage of cadaver in different scenarios, demonstrating its flexibility in accommodating typical requirements for remote file management.