Nextcloud

Introduction

We now provide Nextcloud, a Dropbox-like cloud storage service, for all Compute Canada users. You can use your Compute Canada username and password to log in to the Nextcloud server. A complete Nextcloud user manual is available from docs.nextcloud.com. Another manual is available as a PDF document under your account once you connect. All data transfers between local devices and Compute Canada's Nextcloud are encrypted.

The Nextcloud service is aimed at users with relatively small datasets (up to a few hundred GBs). For anything larger, the Globus service is much to be preferred.

If you are not familiar with the concept of Nextcloud, you may try the online demo on Nextcloud website.

Migrating from ownCloud to Nextcloud

Since the legacy WestGrid ownCloud service will be decommissioned in the near future, it will be necessary for ownCloud users to move their data to Nextcloud, a service offered by Compute Canada. Note that the two services are installed in separate instances.

• The straightforward way to proceed is to start over by downloading your data from ownCloud to your local machine (desktop or laptop) and then upload to Nextcloud via the web interface or any other tool as discussed below.
• If you have files or folders already shared with other WestGrid users, you will have to share them again.

We recommend taking this opportunity to take a look at your data and do some cleanup: remove data you no longer need, check with whom you share your data, etc.

Compute Canada Nextcloud service description

• Server URL: https://nextcloud.computecanada.ca
• Server Location: Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC
• Default Quota: 100 GB per user
• Backup Policy: Daily backup without offsite copy
• Access Methods: Web interface, Nextcloud Desktop Sync Client, Nextcloud mobile apps, and any WebDAV client
• Documentation: PDF and online

Using the Nextcloud web interface

To use the web interface, log in to Compute Canada Nextcloud from a web browser using your Compute Canada username and password. You can upload and download files between your desktop (or laptop) and Nextcloud, edit files, and share files with other Compute Canada users. For more information, please refer to the Nextcloud user manual.

Using the Nextcloud Desktop Synchronization client and mobile apps

This client, once installed on your devices, will "sync" everything between your Nextcloud folder and your desktop/mobile device folder. Please note, it may take some time to sync all data. You can make changes to files locally on your device and they will be updated in Nextcloud automatically. You can download the Nextcloud Desktop Sync Client and Nextcloud mobile apps for iOS devices and Android devices from https://nextcloud.com/install/.

Using WebDAV clients

In general, you can use any WebDAV clients to "mount" a Nextcloud folder to your desktop using the following WebDAV URL: https://nextcloud.computecanada.ca/remote.php/webdav/

Once mounted, you can drag and drop files between the WebDAV drive and your local desktop.

Mac OSX: Select Go -> Connect to the Server, enter the WebDAV URL for the Server Address, and click Connect. You will be asked for your username and password to log in. After authentication, you will see a WebDAV drive on your desktop.

Windows:

Use the "Map Network Drive ..." option, select a drive letter, then use WebDAV URL https://nextcloud.computecanada.ca/remote.php/webdav/ in the Folder field.

You may also consider using Cyberduck or other clients instead. Cyberduck is available for OSX and Windows.

Linux: There are many WebDAV applications available for Linux, please consult the Nextcloud user manual for recommendations.

Detail: WebDAV vs Synchronization Client

The WebDAV clients mount your Nextcloud storage on your desktop. Files are not copied, e.g., when you edit a file you edit the original file on the Compute Canada Nextcloud system at Simon Fraser University.

When you connect with a Synchronization client the first thing the client does is to synchronize your files stored in the Compute Canada Nextcloud system with a copy of those files on your own desktop or laptop. All files that are different get downloaded to your own client. When files are changed they are re-copied to all the synchronized systems to ensure that the files are the same everywhere. The synchronization copies can take a lot of time when you (and/or your collaborators) change files frequently. The advantage is that you can work on the files offline, i.e., when you do not have network connectivity. They will be synchronized when network connectivity is re-established.

Using UNIX command line tools

You can also use any available WebDAV command line clients, like curl and cadaver, to copy files between your host and Nextcloud. Command line tools are useful when you copy data between a remote host you log in to and Nextcloud.

cURL is usually installed on Mac OSX and Linux systems and can be used to upload and download files using an URL.

Upload a file using curl

[name@server ~]$ curl -k -u <username> -T <filename> https://nextcloud.computecanada.ca/remote.php/webdav/

Download a file using curl

[name@server ~]$ curl -k -u <username> https://nextcloud.computecanada.ca/remote.php/webdav/<filename> -o <filename>

Sharing files using Nextcloud

To make it easier for sharing among Compute Canada users, we made a change in the Nextcloud installation so that both a user's username and their full name are displayed in the web browser. The format is "Firstname Lastname (username)".