I am trying to enable Webdav so I can access a webfolder. I have basic authentication working fine, but instead of seeing the contents of the webfolder, I get the default Apache Test Page once authentication passes. What's wrong?

I'm running Apache 2.0.40 that came with RH 8.0. There is ample info out there on configuring httpd.conf and I can't see where I have gone wrong.

Here are the relevant sections in my httpd.conf file:
------------------
DAVLockDB /etc/httpd/mod_dav/DAVLock

<VirtualHost *>
ServerName example.examplehost.com
DocumentRoot /var/www/html/webdavtest
<Directory "/var/www/html/webdavtest">
DAV On
AuthType Basic
AuthName "Test of WebDAV"
AuthUserFile /etc/httpd/mod_dav/user.passwd
Require valid-user
</Directory>
</VirtualHost>
--------------------

Both dav_module and dav_fs_module get loaded.

I have chmod'ed 755 both etc/httpd/mod_dav and /var/www/html/webdavtest and the user.passwd file. User and Group are apache.

Am I missing something? Do I need to do something else?

Thanks!
Apollo

Oh yeah, forgot to mention that the entry in my error_log file is:

"Directory index forbidden by rule: /var/www/html/webdavtest".

I suspect the answer lies in that message, but I don't know what it means. Is there something else I need to do to give Apache permission to that directory?

Ok, I now realize don't just enter the URL in your browser. You need to create a webfolder (IE) or use some other WebDAV client (Konqueror supports this, and many others).

I am getting close. I can now connect to my webdav folder and see the contents. However, I cannot delete, move, copy, etc -- anything that changes the contents. Sounds like a permission problem, right? I have chmod-ed 755 the folder and contents. Owner and Group are apache.

Any suggestions what is wrong? This is driving me mad.

Thanks!
Apollo

I'm going to assume nobody has answers -- the other alternative would be nobody cares

Maybe this will help:

1. Does webDAV use more than one port? I ask because I am behind a firewall and have only opened one port for WebDAV.

2. Is it possible that WebDAV will not work in an apache Virtual Host container?

It never fails to amaze me how often the solution is something completely unexpected. I'll post it here in case it helps someone.

Apache apparently didn't like the ServerName I was using (no I don't mean example.examplehost.com). I'm not going to post the real URL, but it started with two digits -- example: 26seagulls.examplehost.com. After banging my head against the wall for several days, I changed it to something like seagulls.examplehost.com (I got rid of the digits). Bingo! everything works perfectly now.

An Apache bug? An Apache quirk? I don't know, but my problem is solved. Hope this helps someone -- post a reply if that's you.

Apollo

if you are having problems making changes to your webdav folder make sure that the folder itself has proper permissions for apache to read/write etc... to it.
I don't think it's that no one cares more like know one knows. From what I have seen not a lot of people use it or even know about the feature. I actually just stumbled upon the other day.