Web Integration

Web interfaces can be used to start ExpeDat data transfers, monitor their progress, and provide a customized landing and browsing experience for end-users.  ExpeDat web tools come in three forms: client software running on end-user systems, sample PHP scripts installed on your web server, and sample JavaScript code which you can integrate with your own web applications.  No browser plug-ins, Java, or background applications are required.

Web Clients

Optimized data transport requires that native executable code run on the client system.  ExpeDat Desktop and WebDat serve as clients for web integrated ExpeDat data transfers.  ExpeDat Desktop handles expedat:// URLs embedded in web pages and other documents, allowing you to create simple links for starting data transfers.  The EXP.js JavaScript API provides you with functions for creating and triggering these URLs.

Both ExpeDat Desktop and WebDat host HTTP API servers which allow a webpage running in a local browser to start and monitor transactions.  WebDat does this while running entirely as a background agent, allowing the webpage to have primary control over the user experience.

See the following for more details:

Installing ExpeDat Desktop or WebDat for Web Integration

expedat:// URLs

JavaScript API

HTTP API

Server Monitoring

You can monitor the status of one or more ExpeDat servers, including real-time reports of all active transactions, using the status.php server dashboard.  This customizable PHP script calls on the mtping utility to query a list of servers and display their status on a web page.  For basic status monitoring, just drop the status.php file into a compatible web server and edit the form at the top to fill in information about yourself and your server.

Server Dashboard

For new users who may not already have ExpeDat Desktop installed, the explink.php landing page provides a way to link to the client package and provide simple instructions for setting it up and proceeding with their transaction.  You can then use the landing page to wrap expedat:// URLs, providing a more seamless and customized experience.  Just drop the explink.php file into a compatible web server and edit the form at the top to fill in information about yourself and the location of your client packages.

User Landing Page

Web File Browser

The expedat.php file browser allows users to view files and folders in their web-browser and then hand-off to ExpeDat Desktop for the actual transfer.  Place it on a web server with visibility to the folders served by your ExpeDat server, then fill in the form at the top with path and customization information.  Users can use view files and folders, monitor upload status, check available free space, start uploads and downloads, and perform file maintenance.

Web File Browser