Introduction

filebrowser/filebrowser is a lightweight and customizable file manager that runs within a Docker container. It offers a user-friendly interface for uploading, deleting, previewing, renaming, and editing files. Key benefits include:

• Ease of Use: Simple to install and configure.
• Customization: Supports custom branding with name changes, CSS styles, and logotypes.
• Authentication: Flexible authentication methods to secure your file browser instance.
• Command Runner: Execute shell commands before or after specific events for automation.
• Multiple Users Support: Allows the creation of multiple user accounts, each with their own directory.

For detailed installation instructions and configuration options, refer to the official documentation.

Uses and Benefits

Primary Use Cases

• File Management: Easily manage files within a specified directory from any device with an internet connection.
• User Authentication: Securely handle multiple user accounts, each with their own directories for privacy and organization.
• Standalone Application: Run File Browser as a standalone application without the need for additional software or configurations.

Benefits

• Convenience: Access files directly through a web interface from any device, making it easy to manage files on-the-go.
• Security: Utilize various authentication methods to ensure that only authorized users can access specific directories.
• Customization: Tailor File Browser to your needs with options for custom branding and command runners, enhancing functionality and user experience.

By leveraging these use cases and benefits, you can efficiently organize and manage files in a secure and customizable manner.

Docker Setup

Dockerizing filebrowser/filebrowser is straightforward and can help you get a local development environment up quickly or deploy it on your server. Follow these steps:

Step 1: Install Docker

Ensure Docker is installed on your system. You can check the installation guide from Docker’s official documentation.

Step 2: Pull the Image

Pull the latest version of the filebrowser/filebrowser image using the following command:

docker pull filebrowser/filebrowser

Step 3: Run the Container

Run a container with the following command. This example starts File Browser on port 8080 and maps it to your host machine’s port 8080. You can change these ports as needed.

docker run -d -p 8080:80 --name filebrowser -v /path/to/your/directory:/filebrowser -e "PASSWORD=yourpassword" -e "ADMIN=true" filebrowser/filebrowser

• -d: Detaches the container from the terminal.
• -p 8080:80: Maps port 8080 on your host to port 80 in the container.
• --name filebrowser: Names the container for easier management.
• -v /path/to/your/directory:/filebrowser: Mounts a local directory as the root directory of File Browser.
• -e "PASSWORD=yourpassword": Sets an admin password. You can also set ADMIN=false to disable administration by default.
• -e "ADMIN=true": Allows you to manage users and settings through the web interface.

Step 4: Access File Browser

Open a browser and go to http://localhost:8080. Log in using the password you specified during setup. The admin account will have full control over your file system.

Common Issues

• Port Conflicts: If port 8080 is already in use, Docker will throw an error. Use a different port by modifying the -p flag.
• Permissions: Ensure that the directory you are mounting has the correct permissions set for your user.
• Network Connectivity: Verify that your network settings allow traffic on the specified ports.

By following these steps, you should be able to quickly start using File Browser with Docker. If you encounter any issues, refer to the official File Browser documentation or the GitHub repository.

Security Essentials

To ensure the secure operation of filebrowser/filebrowser in a Docker environment, follow these essential security measures:

1. Use Official Images: Always pull the latest official image from Docker Hub to benefit from the latest security patches and features.

2. Update Regularly: Keep your File Browser version up-to-date by following the upgrade instructions provided in the documentation.

3. Configure Authentication: Use robust authentication methods such as OAuth, LDAP, or Basic Auth to secure user access. Disable anonymous login if not required.

4. Secure Configuration:

   • Disable Insecure Options: Ensure that insecure features like insecureHTTPPort are disabled.
   • Set Secure Flags: Enable HTTPS by setting up a reverse proxy with SSL/TLS encryption.

5. Restrict File Access: Configure file and directory permissions using the filebrowser config set command to limit access based on user roles.

6. Limit Exposure: Run your Docker container in a restricted environment, such as a private network or a dedicated server, to minimize exposure.

7. Monitor Logs: Regularly review logs for any suspicious activity and implement logging mechanisms as needed.

8. Secure Network Access: Use secure methods for file transfer and access control by configuring appropriate firewall rules and security groups.

By adhering to these guidelines, you can significantly enhance the security of your File Browser setup in a Docker environment.