Open local/external documents from the WebModel
Artikel: 1477140 | Erstellt am 16.08.2022
Explanation of terms – what does "zone change" mean
In earlier browser generations (eg Microsoft Internet Explorer) it was usually possible to access documents on a file server via hyperlink from the viflow WebModel. For security reasons, the current browsers no longer allow this change between the web application and a file server, since this involves a change between zones with different trust levels – the so-called zone change.
Do not bypass the security settings!
Please note that the prevented zone change is basically for security purposes and effectively prevents your or your company's file system from being accessed directly from the Internet, which could result in major damage – for example through Trojans or other malware.
If you still want to bypass this security setting, always contact your system administrator beforehand.
There are various options for calling up the local or external documents directly from the WebModel:
1. Particularly simple: copying documents
If you use the option Copy linked files to trarget location {{1}} when exporting the WebModel, copies of the documents are saved with the WebModel on the web server and can be opened directly from there in the browser – there is no zone change here, since WebModel and documents are in the same browser security zone.
Save documents directly to the web server
Of course, you can also save the documents to be linked directly on the web server. In this case it is not necessary to copy the files (see above) – you can simply use the http(s) link to the documents in viflow.
2. Professional: use of a document management system (DMS)
If you use a DMS, open the original files on the server directly from the WebModel. The files are accessed via hyperlinks via http or https. For example, many companies use Microsoft SharePoint as a DMS.
Uniform protocol for DMS and WebModel
Access to the WebModel and documents on the DMS must be via the same protocol – either via http or better: https.
3. For IT professionals: Virtual directory on the web server
If the files are not to be copied to (or stored on) the web server and no DMS (document management system) is used, you can set up virtual directories on the web server and use them to access the file system from the WebModel – either with or without access protection via a connection to the Active Directory or another authentication system.
In the following articles you will find all information about this procedure:
- ››› Access-protected access to documents on a file server via a web server (IIS).
- ››› Accessing documents on a file server via a web server (IIS).
Please contact your administrator
Setting up virtual directories as described in the articles requires IT expertise and should always be carried out by your administrator.