IFolder
Encyclopedia
iFolder is an open source
application, developed by Novell, Inc., intended to allow cross-platform
file sharing
across computer networks.
iFolder operates on the concept of shared folders
, where a folder is marked as shared and the contents of the folder are then synchronized to other computers over a network, either directly between computers in a peer-to-peer
fashion or through a server. This is intended to allow a single user to synchronize files
between different computers (for example between a work computer and a home computer) or share files with other users (for example a group of people who are collaborating on a project).
The core of the iFolder is actually a project called Simias. It is Simias which actually monitors files for changes, synchronizes these changes and controls the access permissions on folders. The actual iFolder clients (including a graphical desktop client and a web client) are developed as separate programs that communicate with the Simias back-end.
/2000
and Novell NetWare
5.1 or included with the forthcoming Novell NetWare 6.0. It also included the ability to access shared files through a web browser.
iFolder Professional Edition 2, announced on March 13, 2002 and released a month later, added support for Linux
and Solaris
and web access support for Windows CE
and Palm OS
. This edition was also designed to share files between millions of users in large companies, with increased reporting features for administrators.
On March 22, 2004, after their purchase of the Linux software companies Ximian
and SUSE, Novell announced that they were releasing iFolder as an open source project under the GPL
license. They also announced that the open source version of iFolder would use the Mono
framework in an effort to ease development.
iFolder 3.0 was released on June 22, 2005.
On March 31, 2006, Novell announced that iFolder Enterprise Server is now Open Source.
On April 2, 2009, Novell released iFolder 3.7.2 which included a Mac client for 10.4 and 10.5 as well as a Windows Vista client. In addition to the improved client lineup this version supports SSL, LDAPGroup Support, Auto-account creation, iFolder Merge, and Enhanced web access and administration. The iFolder.com website has been completely redesigned with no references to the earlier versions.
Open source
The term open source describes practices in production and development that promote access to the end product's source materials. Some consider open source a philosophy, others consider it a pragmatic methodology...
application, developed by Novell, Inc., intended to allow cross-platform
Cross-platform
In computing, cross-platform, or multi-platform, is an attribute conferred to computer software or computing methods and concepts that are implemented and inter-operate on multiple computer platforms...
file sharing
File sharing
File sharing is the practice of distributing or providing access to digitally stored information, such as computer programs, multimedia , documents, or electronic books. It may be implemented through a variety of ways...
across computer networks.
iFolder operates on the concept of shared folders
Directory (file systems)
In computing, a folder, directory, catalog, or drawer, is a virtual container originally derived from an earlier Object-oriented programming concept by the same name within a digital file system, in which groups of computer files and other folders can be kept and organized.A typical file system may...
, where a folder is marked as shared and the contents of the folder are then synchronized to other computers over a network, either directly between computers in a peer-to-peer
Peer-to-peer
Peer-to-peer computing or networking is a distributed application architecture that partitions tasks or workloads among peers. Peers are equally privileged, equipotent participants in the application...
fashion or through a server. This is intended to allow a single user to synchronize files
File synchronization
File synchronization in computing is the process of ensuring that computer files in two or more locations are updated via certain rules....
between different computers (for example between a work computer and a home computer) or share files with other users (for example a group of people who are collaborating on a project).
The core of the iFolder is actually a project called Simias. It is Simias which actually monitors files for changes, synchronizes these changes and controls the access permissions on folders. The actual iFolder clients (including a graphical desktop client and a web client) are developed as separate programs that communicate with the Simias back-end.
History
Announced by Novell on March 19, 2001, iFolder was released on June 29, 2001 as a software package for Windows NTWindows NT
Windows NT is a family of operating systems produced by Microsoft, the first version of which was released in July 1993. It was a powerful high-level-language-based, processor-independent, multiprocessing, multiuser operating system with features comparable to Unix. It was intended to complement...
/2000
Windows 2000
Windows 2000 is a line of operating systems produced by Microsoft for use on personal computers, business desktops, laptops, and servers. Windows 2000 was released to manufacturing on 15 December 1999 and launched to retail on 17 February 2000. It is the successor to Windows NT 4.0, and is the...
and Novell NetWare
Novell NetWare
NetWare is a network operating system developed by Novell, Inc. It initially used cooperative multitasking to run various services on a personal computer, with network protocols based on the archetypal Xerox Network Systems stack....
5.1 or included with the forthcoming Novell NetWare 6.0. It also included the ability to access shared files through a web browser.
iFolder Professional Edition 2, announced on March 13, 2002 and released a month later, added support for Linux
Linux
Linux is a Unix-like computer operating system assembled under the model of free and open source software development and distribution. The defining component of any Linux system is the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released October 5, 1991 by Linus Torvalds...
and Solaris
Solaris Operating System
Solaris is a Unix operating system originally developed by Sun Microsystems. It superseded their earlier SunOS in 1993. Oracle Solaris, as it is now known, has been owned by Oracle Corporation since Oracle's acquisition of Sun in January 2010....
and web access support for Windows CE
Windows CE
Microsoft Windows CE is an operating system developed by Microsoft for embedded systems. Windows CE is a distinct operating system and kernel, rather than a trimmed-down version of desktop Windows...
and Palm OS
Palm OS
Palm OS is a mobile operating system initially developed by Palm, Inc., for personal digital assistants in 1996. Palm OS is designed for ease of use with a touchscreen-based graphical user interface. It is provided with a suite of basic applications for personal information management...
. This edition was also designed to share files between millions of users in large companies, with increased reporting features for administrators.
On March 22, 2004, after their purchase of the Linux software companies Ximian
Ximian
Ximian was a company that provided free software desktop applications for Linux and Unix based on the GNOME platform. Ximian was founded by Miguel de Icaza and Nat Friedman in October, 1999, and was bought by Novell on August 4, 2003...
and SUSE, Novell announced that they were releasing iFolder as an open source project under the GPL
GNU General Public License
The GNU General Public License is the most widely used free software license, originally written by Richard Stallman for the GNU Project....
license. They also announced that the open source version of iFolder would use the Mono
Mono (software)
Mono, pronounced , is a free and open source project led by Xamarin to create an Ecma standard compliant .NET-compatible set of tools including, among others, a C# compiler and a Common Language Runtime....
framework in an effort to ease development.
iFolder 3.0 was released on June 22, 2005.
On March 31, 2006, Novell announced that iFolder Enterprise Server is now Open Source.
On April 2, 2009, Novell released iFolder 3.7.2 which included a Mac client for 10.4 and 10.5 as well as a Windows Vista client. In addition to the improved client lineup this version supports SSL, LDAPGroup Support, Auto-account creation, iFolder Merge, and Enhanced web access and administration. The iFolder.com website has been completely redesigned with no references to the earlier versions.