Xythos Support Center

Xythos Logo The Xythos service is a web-based file storage system available to UI faculty, staff, and students which allows users to upload, store, access, retrieve, and share files via the Internet using only a web browser.

Features:

Active Directory-based authentication (Hawk ID)
Self provisioning accounts
Browser-based (works with all major web browsers)
OS-Independent web interface
100mb quota for new accounts
Secure File Transfers
Alternative to e-mail attachments
WebDAV enabled

Xythos Basics

Eligibility:

All UI Faculty, staff, and students are eligible for a Xythos account. Faculty and staff accounts are removed upon leaving the employ of the UI. Student accounts are removed upon graduation or when a student leaves the UI (e.g. drops enrollment).

Getting Started:

Login to the service using your Hawk ID and password and selecting your domain from the drop-down list.
The first time you login to Xythos an account will automatically be created for you based on your Hawk ID.
When you first login to the service your account will contain a folder/directory named Public. Please note that any files placed into this directory are available (shared) to the world. One potential use for the Public directory is to publish web pages.

Accessing your account/logging out:

Once you have created an account by logging in to Xythos for the first time you access your account by the same process.
To quit using Xythos just click on the "log out" link next to your name in the top left corner of the page.

Uploading Files

To copy (upload) a file from a local computer to your Xythos account:

Login to Xythos and open the directory that you wish to upload the file into.
Click the Upload button on the toolbar. Next, browse for the file in the window that opens (you can specify the number of files you want to upload by selecting a number from the dropdown list).
Click the OK button to upload your file(s).

Downloading Files

To access your stored files:

Login to Xythos and click the name of the file you wish to copy (download) to your current computer. Depending on the type of file and the behavior of your web browser, the file will either open in a new browser window or download directly to your computer (text files and web documents will typically display in a new window, while compressed file archives will typically be downloaded to your computer).
If the file you wish to download is displayed in a new browser window, you will need to click File > Save As to save the file locally.
If you download a file for editing you must save your file locally and then upload it back to your account for the changes to take effect. You cannot edit files on the server.

Creating Additional Directories

You may wish to create additional directories/folders to organize your files and/or to set up different permissions (sharing) for different files.

Additional directories can be created by clicking the New Directory button on the toolbar at the top of the page. You can customize the properties of additional directories so access to files placed within them is restricted. For more information on permissions go here.

Backup/Restore Policy

The Xythos server is backed up for disaster recovery purposes only. Restoration of individual files (e.g. due to accidental deletion by the user) is not a feature of the Xythos service. For this reason it is critical that account holders maintain a current and complete backup locally of all files placed within their Xythos account.

Help/Assistance

Detailed instructions for various features are available by clicking the Help icon on the Xythos login page. This brings up the Xythos Help screen which includes comprehensive, hierarchical instructions categorized by topic.

To download/read the Xythos Web User Interface Guide, click here.

Additional Xythos Features/Information

If you have additional questions or need further assistance, please contact the ITS Help Desk at 319-384-HELP (4357) or by e-mail at its-helpdesk@uiowa.edu.

Last Updated: 04/24/2008