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WebDAV

The WebDAV print connector turns a folder on a WebDAV server into a browsable print source. A signed-in user opens the connector at the device panel, browses the server folder, and selects a document -- OptimiDoc downloads it on demand, converts it to PDF if needed, and prints it as a job owned by that user. WebDAV is widely supported by NAS devices and self-hosted clouds such as Nextcloud and ownCloud.

https://optimidoc.atlassian.net/wiki/download/attachments/42795085/connector-webdav.png?api=v2

Screenshot: WebDAV connector configuration

Overview

The WebDAV connector is a browse-on-demand print source, not a background watcher. OptimiDoc does not poll the server or copy files automatically. The connector appears in the list of print sources on the device; the user browses the configured folder, picks a file, and only then is it downloaded and printed. The file stays on the server untouched.

Common use cases include:

  • Printing from NAS devices with WebDAV enabled (Synology, QNAP, and similar)

  • Self-hosted clouds that expose WebDAV (Nextcloud, ownCloud)

  • Internal file servers reachable over HTTP/HTTPS

How It Works

  1. The user authenticates at an OptimiDoc-enabled device and opens the WebDAV connector.

  2. OptimiDoc issues a PROPFIND request to list the folder and shows the supported documents.

  3. The user browses and selects one or more files, which are fetched via HTTP GET on demand.

  4. Each file is converted to PDF if it is not already.

  5. A print job is created, owned by the signed-in user, and released through the rules engine and quota checks.

Configuration

To configure a WebDAV print connector:

  1. Navigate to Printing > Print Connectors and click Add Connector.

  2. Enter a Name and select WebDAV from the Type dropdown.

  3. On the Configuration tab, complete the settings below.

Configuration Settings

Setting

Description

URL

The base URL of the WebDAV server (e.g. https://nas.example.com/webdav).

Path

The folder on the server to browse (e.g. /uploads or /PrintQueue).

Username

The account used to authenticate with the WebDAV server.

Password

The password for that account. Stored encrypted.

  1. On the Access Rights tab, assign the connector to one or more Groups.

  2. Click Save.

Common WebDAV Endpoints

Platform

WebDAV URL format

Nextcloud

https://cloud.example.com/remote.php/dav/files/USERNAME

ownCloud

https://cloud.example.com/remote.php/webdav

Synology NAS

https://nas.example.com:5006 (WebDAV Server package enabled)

QNAP NAS

https://nas.example.com/share (WebDAV enabled in Control Panel)

Security Considerations

  • Always use HTTPS so credentials and file content are encrypted in transit.

  • If the server uses a self-signed certificate, import it into the OptimiDoc server's trusted certificate store.

  • Use a dedicated account with read access to the browsed folder; some platforms require an app-specific password when 2FA is enabled.

Troubleshooting

Issue

Resolution

Cannot connect

Verify the URL is reachable from the OptimiDoc server and the WebDAV port is open.

Authentication failed

Check Username and Password; use an app-specific password if 2FA is enabled.

Folder not found

Confirm the Path exists; try opening the full URL and path in a browser.

SSL certificate error

Import a self-signed certificate into the OptimiDoc server's trusted root store.

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