Link Sharing for File-Objects

1 Initial Problem

Files are one of the most used objects in ILIAS and the file object has received many new functions in terms of usability and collaboration with the latest releases. In addition to the options provided by RBAC for sharing individual files with people or roles, (time-limited) file sharing via access links is available as standard in many systems.

2 Conceptual Summary

In the administration under Repositories & Objects > Files a new checkbox has been introduced to activate the feature (Activate link sharing).  This can only be activated if the public area of ILIAS is activated. The activated feature leads to a new tab in file objects, for details see next headings.

3 User Interface Modifications

3.1 List of Affected Views

• File-Objects Tabs
• Administration > Repository & Objects > Files

3.2 User Interface Details

When the feature is activated, people with write permissions in file objects now have an additional tab "Shares".

The tab consists of the following elements:

• Button in the toolbar with Files are one of the most used objects in ILIAS and the file object has received many new functions in terms of usability and collaboration with the latest releases. In addition to the options provided by RBAC for sharing individual files with people or roles, (time-limited) file sharing via access links is available as standard in many systems.
• UI\Table\Data with a list of all shares that have been created

A click on the "New share" button leads to a UI\Input\Container\Form\Standard with the field:

• Valid until (date, mandatory)
• Optional field: Action (selection)): By default, the file can be downloaded via such a link. However, if the installation has WOPI, "collaborate" and "view" can also be selected, provided that corresponding actions are available via WOPI for the respective file type.

The existing "Sharing links" are displayed in a UI\Table\Data with two columns "Sharing link" and "Valid until". The following is available as a single and multi-action: "Delete"

3.3 New User Interface Concepts

As an alternative to the implementation with a UI table and links in the "Share links" column, we would like to suggest - if available - a type of "copyable" link as a UI component, which could also be used for the footer for the permanent link, for example. However, if no such UI component is implemented, the fallback would simply be UI\Link\Standard

3.4 Accessibility Implications

The use of existing UI components does not introduce any new implications for accessibility. 

4 Technical Information

A secure mechanism like the tokens from https://github.com/ILIAS-eLearning/ILIAS/tree/release_9/src/FileDelivery#signed-delivery is used to create the tokens.

5 Privacy

No new personal data is collected or processed as a result of the implementation of the feature. 

6 Security

The implementation of the feature does not introduce any new attack vectors. there are no further special security-related considerations to be made.

7 Contact

• Author of the Request: Schmid, Fabian [fschmid]
• Maintainer:  Schmid, Fabian [fschmid]
• Implementation of the feature is done by: sr.solutions

8 Funding

If you are interest in funding this feature, please add your name and institution to this list.

• …

9 Discussion

10 Implementation

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Test Cases

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Privacy

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Approval

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