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Practical 3
Introduction to ownCloud

ownCloud is a suite of client–server software for creating and using file

hosting services. ownCloud functionally has similarities to the widely
used Dropbox. The primary functional difference between ownCloud and
Dropbox is that ownCloud does not offer data centre capacity to host stored
files. The Server Edition of ownCloud is free and open-source, thereby
allowing anyone to install and operate it without charge on their
own private server.
ownCloud supports extensions that allow it to work like Google Drive, with
online document editing, calendar and contact synchronization, and more.
Its openness avoids enforced quotas on storage space or the number of
connected clients, instead having hard limits (like on storage space or
number of users) defined only by the physical capabilities of the server.

➢ Design
For desktop machines to synchronize files with their ownCloud server,
desktop clients are available for PCs
running Windows, macOS, FreeBSD or Linux. Mobile clients exist
for iOSand Android devices. Files and other data (such as calendars,
contacts or bookmarks) can also be accessed, managed, and uploaded using
a web browser without any additional software. Any updates to the file
system are pushed to all computers and mobile devices connected to a
user's account.
Encryption of files may be enforced by the server administrator
The ownCloud server is written in the PHP and JavaScript scripting
languages. For remote access, it employs sabre/dav, an open-
source WebDAV server. ownCloud is designed to work with
several database management systems,
including SQLite, MariaDB, MySQL, Oracle Database, and PostgreSQL.

➢ Features
owncloud is a software only product. owncloud does not offer off-premises
storage capacity. This is in contrast to the likes of Dropbox that offers both
software and off-premises storage capacity. owncloud storage capacity has
to be provided on user owned devices.[2]
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ownCloud files are stored in conventional directory structures, and can be

accessed via WebDAV if necessary. User files are encrypted both at rest and
during transit. ownCloud can synchronise with
local clients running Windows (Windows XP, Vista, 7 and 8), macOS (10.6
or later), or various Linux distributions.
ownCloud users can manage calendars (CalDAV), contacts (CardDAV)
scheduled tasks and streaming media (Ampache) from within the platform.
From the administration perspective, ownCloud permits user and group
administration (via OpenID or LDAP). Content can be shared by defining
granular read/write permissions between users and/or groups.
Alternatively, ownCloud users can create public URLs when sharing
files. Logging of file-related actions is available in the Enterprise and
Education service offerings.

➢ Server Releases

Version Date New Features

Advanced Sharing Permissions, SecureView,

May 16,
10.2 Improved Public Links, Storage Encryption with
2019
HSMs

Microsoft Office Online Integration, File Locking,

February 7,
10.1 Semantic Versioning, OpenCloudMesh 1.0
2019
compliance

File integrity checks, guest accounts, custom

April 27,
10.0 groups, multiple link sharing, new app
2017
marketplace

Two-Factor-Authentication, Collabora
9.1 July 21, 2016 integration, scalability and federation
improvements
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Introducing improved scalability (worked on

March 8,
9.0 with CERN), federation and collaboration tools
2016
including comments and tags

Introducing improved Design, new Gallery app,

October 20,
8.2 Notifications and file retention control for
2015
deletions and versions

Introducing improved Documents, Release

8.1 July 7, 2015
Channels, Encryption 2.0

February 9, Introducing Federated Cloud Sharing, improved

8.0
2015 search and favorites

Introducing server-to-server sharing and

7.0 July 23, 2014
improved user management

December Introducing improved design, activity feed,

6.0
11, 2013 avatars, previews, conflict handling and more

March 14, Introducing the trash bin and much security,

5.0
2013 stability and performance work

Introducing external storage, syncing

October 11,
4.5 contacts/calendar, presentation and video
2012
players

May 22, Introducing file encryption and versioning, LDAP

4.0
2012 and more

January 30, Introducing text editor, introduction of

3.0
2012 ownCloud apps, PDF viewer and photo gallery
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October 11, Introducing calendar and contact syncing,

2.0
2011 sharing and a media player

April 21, Introducing much improved UI and many

1.2
2011 bugfixes

November Introducing user management and built in text

1.1
23, 2010 viewer

June 24,
1.0 Release
2010

March 13,
1.0b Beta release
2010