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Virtual Folders

What is it?​

Virtual Folders are directory mappings that make external file system locations visible to connected server users without placing those locations inside a user's home folder hierarchy.

  • Use this when multiple server user accounts need access to a single shared physical directory
  • Use this when giving users browser-based access to a network share or directory outside their home folder
  • Virtual folders are defined in the MFT Server Console and apply to all users who have the virtual folder in their accessible path

Virtual Folders are non-existent folders that are nonetheless visible to connected users.
A Virtual Folder may be mapped to a directory path on your file system that is located outside the hierarchical directory tree of a user's Home Folder.

Creating Virtual Folders​

Before creating a virtual folder, create the real folder to map to the virtual folder name.

Start the OpCon MFT Server Console, by Selecting the Server Console in the OpConMFT n.nn Application Menu.

Select the VirtualFolders Menu Item.

Creating Virtual Folders

  • Select New.
  • Enter a name for the virtual folder in the Virtual Folder Path field.
  • In the Physical Path Located field, browse to the created folder that is used to manage the files.
  • Manage the permissions available for the virtual folder by selecting or clearing the permission options.
  • In the Maximum Size (MB) field, enter a size limit in MB. A value of 0 means no limit.
  • Select Create to create the virtual folder.
  • Select Apply to save the changes.

Each user's settings also have a Virtual Folders tab, where you define virtual folders that are specific to that user.

Sharing Folders​

Virtual Folders are commonly used to share a single physical directory with multiple user accounts. To give several accounts access to the same folder, map the same virtual folder to each of those users.

You can also share a folder through a link:

  • Logon on to the MFT Server through the web browser.
  • Select the created virtual folder.
  • Select Create Share.
  • Copy the generated URL and share it.

A share created with Create Share is a link to a folder in the signed-in user's own space. Anyone with the link gets only the permissions set on the share, until the share expires.

Sharing Network Folders​

Another common use of Virtual Folders is to give users access to network shares or other folders not otherwise available under the hierarchical directory tree of a user's Home Folder.

FAQs​

Does the physical folder need to exist before creating a virtual folder?

Yes. Create the real folder on the file system before defining the virtual folder in the MFT Server Console. The virtual folder maps to the physical path.

Can virtual folders be shared publicly without requiring a login?

Yes. After logging into the MFT Server through a web browser, select the virtual folder and select Create Share to generate a public URL. Copy the generated URL and distribute it to users who need access without an account. The share is a link to a folder in the signed-in user's own space, and anyone with the link gets only the permissions set on the share, until the share expires. To give several accounts access to the same folder, map the same virtual folder to each of those users instead.

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