Sharing Data Files Via Public Links

Owned by kkennedy
Last updated: Sept 28, 2016
4 min read

You can create and send a public link to a data file (though not for a folder) you own. Once the recipient has the link to the file, it can be downloaded for purposes of validating, manipulating, or analyzing the file or results on their system.

The advantages are that the recipient does not have to have a CyVerse account in order to download the file through the link, and the original file is not affected because the downloaded file is used on his or her system instead of in the CyVerse Data Store.

You can send the same public link to more than one recipient, or create separate public links for each recipient. Separate public links are useful when you want to share or revoke access to the same file on a per-recipient basis, while sending the same link to a group of recipients allows you to share or revoke access to the file in one action.

To create the public link, the owner selects the file, creates the link, and then emails, tweets, or text the link to the recipient.

  • If you previously shared the file in the DE, clicking the link takes the recipient CyVerse user to the Shared With Me folder under the name of the owner who shared the file. From there, the recipient can download or view the shared file within that Shared With Me folder.
  • If you have not shared the file, clicking the link opens a download window from which the recipient can download the file.

Recipient has the file? Deactivate it.

Once the recipient has downloaded the file using the public link, it is recommended that you deactivate the link.

You can create a public link to a file you own in several different ways: by creating the URL to the file from which the user can import the file via URL to the DE, or by creating an iRODS iget iCommand, the Gnu Wget command, or cURL statement. Once the link is created, you copy the link and send the message.

You also can send a shared path folder link to a DE user so that any files that have been shared with that recipient are available and share data files you own with the public  in the Mirrors site.

For more information about other methods of accessing data, see Downloading and Uploading Data.

Creating a public link in the Data window

The quickest way to create a public link is in the Data window.

  1. In the middle section of the Data window, select the file to which you want to create the public link and then click .

    If is not displayed, you are not the owner.

  2. In the Manage Data Links window, copy the link to send and click Done.
  3. Open the message application to use (email client, twitter, or chat window) and paste the link to the item.
  4. Send the message.
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Managing your public links in the Manage Links window

While you can quickly create a public link in a couple of steps right in the Data window, the real meat of using public links is in the Manage Public Links window. From this window, you can create or copy an existing one, delete data links, and access advanced sharing to send a URL that allows the user to upload the file via URL to the DE, or send iRods iCommands, Wget, or cURL commands.

  1. In the middle section of the Data window, select the file.
  2. Click the Share menu and then click Create a Public Link.

Do one of the following:

  1. In the Manage Public Links window, click the file name and then click Create.
    The new link is added below the file name.
  2. Click the new link and then click Copy Link.
  3. In the Copy dialog, copy the link and click OK.
  4. Close the window.
  5. Open the message application to use (email client, twitter, or chat window) and paste the link to the item.
  6. Send the message.
  7. Verify that the recipient has downloaded the file.
  8. Continue to Step 3 to delete the public link.
  1. In the Manage Public Links window, click the link to use, click Done, and then close the window.
  2. Open the message application to use (email client, twitter, or chat window), paste the link to the item, and then send the message.
  3. Verify that the recipient has downloaded the file.
  4. Continue to Step 3 to delete the public link.
  1. In the Manage Public Links window, click the link, and click Advanced Sharing. Select the alternative download method to use, click Copy, and then close the window.
  2. Open the message application to use (email client, twitter, or chat window), paste the URL link to the item, and send the message.
    If you shared the file, the link takes the recipient to your username Shared With Me folder in the recipient's Data window.
    If you did not share the file, the link opens a download page from which the recipient can download the file.
  3. Verify that the recipient has downloaded the file.
  4. Continue to Step 3 to delete the public link.

Public links are accessible to everyone who has the link. We recommend that you delete the link once you have verified that the recipient has downloaded it.

  1. Open the Manage Public Links window.
  2. Click the red icon to the left of the file:

    The public link is removed from the file, and future attempts to download it will display the message, "That ticket does not exist".
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