RADAR Software Release: Create datasets via WebDAV

Published: 26.02.2024

With the current software version v 1.18, RADAR offers you another method for creating datasets. As an alternative to data transfer via the RADAR user interface in the web browser (HTTPS) or via the RADAR REST API, datasets can now also be created with WebDAV support.

WebDAV (Web-based Distributed Authoring and Versioning) is a network protocol for providing data on the internet. It is based on the Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP/1.1) and also supports HTTPS. Whereas with other transfer methods such as FTP or SSH, additional firewall ports often have to be opened, this is not necessary with WebDAV, which only requires port 80 or 443.

WebDAV facilitates the import of research data from network storage. It is supported by various WebDAV clients (e. g. WinSCP) and operating systems. WebDAV can not only be used to upload individual or multiple files at the same time. It is also possible to upload entire folders!

While you are uploading and organizing data via your WebDAV client, no active RADAR session is required. This allows you maximum flexibility when preparing the content of your datasets and its hierarchical organization, even with larger data volumes.

Would you like to create datasets using WebDAV?

The option to create datasets via WebDAV must first be activated by FIZ Karlsruhe. The activation can be at the level of the RADAR contract or at the level of selected workspaces. As soon as the activation has been completed, users will have the additional tab "Create WebDAV dataset" available for the creation of datasets.

Please contact us at info [at] radar-service.eu (info[at]radar-service[dot]eu)!

The creation of datasets using WebDAV is a three-step process:

RADAR user Interface	1. Create dataset
	Use the additional table tab "Create WebDAV dataset" for this. A new dataset with the status "In preparation" and a RADAR WebDAV directory are created, which you can access via your WebDAV client.

Via WebDAV client	2. Upload content to the RADAR WebDav directory
	You can upload individual files or entire folders via the WebDAV client. You can flexibly modify and hierarchically structure the content of the WebDAV directory. You can close the WebDAV client at any time.

RADAR user interface	3. Import content from the RADAR WebDAV directory to RADAR
	The dataset status changes from "In preparation" to "In progress". After the import, you can no longer access the WebDAV directory. You can continue to modify the dataset in RADAR, however this must be done via the RADAR user interface or via the REST API.

Further information?

A detailed description and screenshots can be found in Quickstart Guide for the data transfer via WebDAV (PDF in German language).

Note: This software release also affects the community-specific publication services for research data based on RADAR:

RADAR4Chem, funded by NFDI4Chem (DFG Project Number 441958208)
RADAR4Culture, funded by NFDI4Culture (DFG Project Number 441958017)