Pydio is a free cloud solution

First Configuration

It is convenient to perform the remaining configuration tasks for Pydio via a web browser. In order to get to the homepage of the Pydio server, visit the URL http://<IP-Address>/pydio, where <IP-Address> is the IP of the computer running Pydio. This page contains an overview of all modules present along with their current status. Warnings appearing on the homepage, typically at the top, usually have nothing to do with the functionality of the server (Figure 2).

Figure 2: The installation routine executes a check at the beginning of the first configuration.

The CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE TO PYDIO link sits above the diagnostic view. The link takes you to the initial steps for setting up Pydio. These include choice of language and starting the installation assistant with the Start Wizard button. Here you enter the access data for the future administrator. Then you specify the DBMS system in the list menu database connection , which will be used by Pydio. Here you enter the data for the MySQL database that you set up earlier.

Clicking on Test connection lets you monitor the connection to the database. As a final step in the initial installation, you can change the path to the server and modify the language and encoding in the additional settings area. Then click on the button that has the somewhat misleading label of Install Pydio .

User Interface

The Pydio homepage is straightforward. The work environment is to the left in a vertical bar. It contains just three menus in addition to the initial configuration. These include Public files , My files and Shared files . As soon as the user clicks on one of the entries, the corresponding list of files and subdirectories open on the right-hand side of the larger window area (Figure 3). In the middle of the main screen, Pydio also displays links for downloading various clients for file synchronization. Missing from these links is one for a Linux client.

Figure 3: Pydio scores points with its straightforward and modern interface.

There is a menu at the top right next to your username. This menu contains an option for opening the Dashboard where you can administer your profile. This menu is also used for accessing the general settings in Pydio. However, these only become available when you log in with administrator rights, as is the case with the initial login. The settings menu consists of a screen that is divided into two parts with several options for managing the cloud. This is where you specify users and groups, define their roles, and modify their work environments.

In addition, the settings menu offers an overview and analysis of log files and a diagnosis function that reports on the status of various modules. You can choose themes and the general appearance in each individual dialog. This is also the place for performing technical modifications.

In order to integrate new groups and users into the system, first go to the settings menu on the left and click on the People entry on the left and then click on New users or New groups at the top of the panel. It is a good idea to first define groups, making it possible to assign users to them.

Once you click on New group , a window will open asking for the group ID and a label. The ID is the only thing that is absolutely necessary. After clicking on OK , the software will set up the new group and build a corresponding search path with the accompanying folder name appearing in plain text. Pydio immediately adds newly set up groups to the list on the left in the window. Click there in each main group and select the New group at the top in the middle. In the same way, you can also define subgroups.

After setting up the groups, add users to the system. This is done by selecting the New users option in the main People window and entering the user names and password for each in the window that opens. After this, Pydio branches into a user-specific configuration menu. This is where you specify the user role and accompanying rights. In addition, email messaging is set up, and the workspace and avatar image are defined.

If the new owner now logs in for the first time, it is possible to set up a file structure for the individual workspace by clicking on the New folder button at the top right. Finally, new content can be moved to each folder from the local file manager by dragging and dropping.