2.2 Installing the iFolder Client on Your Linux Workstations

Install the iFolder client on every workstation that you typically use, including your desktops and laptops at work and home. The client supports the following Linux desktops:

You need the iFolder client on your workstation to take advantage of the automatic synchronization feature of iFolder. However, you can access your files on the iFolder server from any computer or handheld device using a Web browser and an active Internet or network connection.

2.2.1 Prerequisites

Your iFolder administrator must provision your username for iFolder services before you can create and activate an iFolder account for that username. Typically, your username is the same as your network user ID. If you want to share an iFolder account with a small group of users, ask your iFolder administrator to create and provision a shared identity in the LDAP directory.

Before you install the client, make sure your workstation meets the following prerequisites:

  • Internet or network connection activated
  • Free space of 5 MB on the disk to install the client

2.2.2 For iFolder Icon to be Visible on the Panel

For iFolder icon to be visible on the panel, ensure Notification Area / System Tray is present on GNOME /KDE.

  • To enable Notification Area in GNOME desktop, right-click panel > Add to Panel > Utility > Notification Area.
  • To enable System Tray in KDE desktop, right-click the panel > Add > Applet > System Tray.

2.2.3 Installing the iFolder Client on a Linux Desktop

  1. Log on to the super user mode. This ensures that you have privileges to install software.

  2. (Conditional) Uninstall any prototype version of the client that exists on the desktop. This ensures a clean install.

  3. Download the novell-ifolder-client.rpm file, the client install program.

    1. Launch a Web browser.

    2. Go to the beta download Web site.

    3. From the beta Web site, download the .rpm file to a local download directory

  4. Extract and install the .rpm file by executing the following command at the console prompt:

    rpm -i novell-ifolder-client.rpm -h -v

    Or

    rpm -U novell-ifolder-client.rpm -h -v

    where

    rpm

    Installs the package

    -i

    Option to install

    -U

    Option to upgrade. (However, because this is the first release, this option has same effect as -i option.)

    -h

    Prints hash progress bar as the package archive is unpacked

    -v

    Displays verbose messages

    --test

    Tests the install. However, it does not install the package.

    For more details, refer to the man page of rpm command by executing man rpm at the system console.

    Wait while the rpm extracts and installs the package.

  5. Verify that the package was installed successfully by executing the following:

    rpm -qa | grep novell-ifolder-client

    where

    -grep: Enables the search for the specified file

  6. View the list of files by executing the following:

    rpm - ql novell-ifolder-client

    where

    ql: Enables query list

  7. View the iFolder man page by executing man novell-ifolder-client at the system console.

2.2.4 Automatically Starting iFolder Linux Client

To automatically start iFolder Linux client, when the Linux System reboots, complete the following:

On Ximian Desktop

  1. Select System > Personal Settings >Sessions.

  2. In Sessions screen, select Startup Programs tab, Press Add and then add the following to the start up command:

    /opt/novell/ifolder/bin/novell-ifolder-client

On KDE

Include the link in $HOME/.kde/Autostart.