Note on using webdav idisk for experiment data

One of the problems I had before with setting up a script to manage the experimental scenario and data on a webdav idisk was that I hadn't stumbled across how to automatically mount & unmount the filesystem. It turns out that this is very easy.

First, create a directory to use as the mountpoint. For example, assuming you are in a writable directory, use something like this:

mkdir mnt

Next, use a command of this form:

/sbin/mount_webdav -s http://idisk.mac.com/groups.labname mnt

("groups.labname" should be replaced with the actual name of your idisk)

If the login info us not in your keychain, it will ask you for it. You might consider putting in the keychain for convenience. Note that any user (i.e., any RA who will access the database) must have access to the idisk.

Note that it is possible for a subdirectory to mounted directly with a command like this:

/sbin/mount_webdav -s http://idisk.mac.com/groups.labname/Databases/Thisdatabase mnt

However, in this case, a separate keychain entry will be needed to log in. It would normally be simpler to mount the root of the idisk and navigate its hierarchy programatically.

When complete, a simple "umount mnt" will be required.

Note that this method will work even if the idisk had already been mounted in the standard location or somewhere else.