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DEVONthink features a built-in web server that allows you to share documents on your local area network, and optionally, over the internet. As soon as the web server starts, other users can use a standard web browser to search your database, view documents, and download them.
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Note:
In order to operate properly, DEVONthink needs to be running and will only serve open databases.
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Enter all necessary details in the General tab and define users and permissions in the Users tab. Then click the Start button to start the web server available to users whom you have allowed access.
As soon as the server starts, DEVONthink shows the name and two URLs for your database at the bottom of the window. Use either the Bonjour services list of the Bookmarks view in Safari or enter the listed URLs into the address field of your web browser to access your database. Use the numeric address if the Bonjour does not work for your network.
To learn more about using web sharing and how best to make your database available from the "outside" internet, please read on here.
General
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Start on Launch: To automatically start DEVONthink's web server as soon as you launch DEVONthink, check this checkbox.
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Convert images & PDF documents to searchable PDF: Check this to automatically convert all images and non-OCRed PDF documents added from web sharing users to searchable PDFs.
Bonjour Settings
Use these settings to define your DEVONthink server's identity, everything from the name and port, to creating a certificate vouching for the "safety" of the server's activity.
Identity:
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Bonjour Name: Enter a distinct name for your computer here that identifies it on the local network using Bonjour. This name will be shown in the list of Bonjour services on other Macs on your network. Switch to the Bookmarks view in Safari or your preferred browser and select Bonjour in the sidebar.
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Bonjour Domain: Set the Bonjour domain if necessary. Leave this field empty unless you know what you're doing.
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Port: If left empty, DEVONthink will assign a random, unused port when the server launches. If the server will be accessed regularly, or from outside your network, setting a static port is suggested. As non-standard ports can be prohibited on some networks, consult with your IT department.
Security:
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TLS Certificate: If you have a TLS Certificate, select it from this dropdown.
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P12 Certificate: If you have been issued a P12 file, import it by clicking the Load P12 file button.
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Self-signed Certificate: If you have neither, it's possible to generate a self-signed certificate for the server. When this option is chosen, users connecting to the server will be prompted the certificate may be insecure. Instruct them to accept your certificate as valid to allow their browser to accept your server's identity.
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Allow insecure HTTP connection on port: DEVONthink's server runs on SSL connections for secure browsing. If you have a compelling reason to use the older http protocol, check this box and enter the port to be used.
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Note:
When using the server in administered networks, e.g., public, corporate, or educational scenarios, you may need to consult with the IT department for successful operation.
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Users
User List: The Users tab on the left allows you to add and remove individual users, as well as set per database permissions for them.
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Add: Click the + button to add a new user.
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Remove: Click the - button to remove a user.
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Password: Enter a login password for the selected user in the Password field under the Databases list.
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Note:
If you have DEVONagent Pro installed, it will be added as a default user. This allows it to search DEVONthink's databases in the same way it searches other websites.
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Database Permissions: The Databases list on the right allows you to set per-database permissions for the selected user. All open databases will be listed in this pane, followed by the permissions that can be set. When a user is selected in the Users pane, you can set specific permissions for that user. The permissions are as follows:
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Read: Allow the user to access the database. When unchecked the database will not be visible to the user.
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Download: Allow the user to download documents from the database.
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Add: Allow the user to add items to the database.
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Organize: Allow the user to move around documents and groups in the database.
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Delete: Allow the user to delete items in the database.
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Note:
Right-click the database's name to quickly enable or disable all permissions for that database.
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Technical Info: If you need more information on the activity of the web server, you can find some deeper details here.
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Server Details: The section under the Databases pane shows some basic technical data about DEVONthink's server activity.
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Log: In cases where deeper technical information about the server's activities is required, click the Log button in the lower right corner. The log file will open in macOS' Console application.
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