Public file sharing, also known as ad-hoc file transfer or person-to-person file transfer, allows a user to take any file or folder and generate a unique, time-limited, public link to that item and share it with anyone.

The user can optionally password protect a public share link so that access to the link requires a password. The administrator can mandate this requirement if they wish.

In addition, public folder shares can be granted upload permission as well. This will allow anyone with access to the link to upload files or folders to the public share. The administrator must grant this permission for the user’s folders before a folder can be publicly shared and allow uploads.

Benefits over email include:

• Administrators have visibility and control over the data moving into and out of the business.
• Large attachments won’t burden email servers or exceed mailbox quotas.
• Files are transferred with strong encryption and can be password protected.
• Increased productivity. No more wasted time figuring out how to send a file to someone.

Creating a Public File or Folder Link

The administrator has full control over public file sharing. Before a user can share a file publicly, the administrator has to grant explicit sharing priviledges to that user’s virtual folder. Once granted permission, users can share files or entire folders.

To share a file or folder:

1. Press the button to the right of the file or folder you wish to share. This will open up an options section.
2. Press the Share button to bring up the public file sharing dialog.
3. Decide how long the file or folder should be available.
4. Specify a password that anyone clicking on the link must enter before being allowed access (optional).
5. Press the Share button to generate a unique URL to the file or folder.

Public Uploads

The Allow Public Uploads option lets you receive a file from someone by sending a link to a page where the other party can upload the file to.

1. Navigate to the folder you want to share.
2. Select the grey expand button to the far right of the folder name. This will open an options section.
3. Press the Share button to bring up the public file sharing dialog.
4. Specify a password required for access after clicking the file or folder link (optional).
5. Select Allow Public Uploads to this folder.
6. Press the Share button to generate a unique URL to the folder.

Revoking Public File or Folder Access

A user can revoke access to the public link at anytime through the Share page of the web client:

To revoke access to a previously shared file, just click the Revoke button.

Emailing a link to a Public File

In addition to public file sharing, users can also email a link to a public file directly from within the web client. Users just need to click the Email button on a file (and have the appropriate folder permissions granted by the administrator for sharing) to open a message dialog for emailing the file.

Cerberus FTP Server will use the first SMTP server configured in the Event Manager’s Targets page as the email server for sending emails.

What the File Recipient Sees

The recipient of the email message will receive an email with your user’s message, and a public, unique link to the file. Cerberus will log all access to the file’s public link.