> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://developerinsider.co/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Create a Unified File Browser Across Multiple Linux Machines Using Filebrowser Quantum - URL: https://developerinsider.co/create-a-unified-file-browser-across-multiple-linux-machines-using-filebrowser-quantum/ - Published: 2026-04-12T15:53:15.000Z - Updated: 2026-04-13T03:38:35.000Z - Author: Vineet Choudhary - Tags: Wiki, Self-Hosted, FileBrowser Quantum, WebDAV, rclone, Docker Managing files across multiple Linux machines usually means SSH-ing into each machine or multiple browser tabs. What if you could see every file from every machine in a single web interface? With **Filebrowser Quantum's** built-in WebDAV support and **rclone**, you can set up a master machine that aggregates files from all your remote servers (or local servers) into one unified view. In this guide, we'll walk through setting up two Linux machines running Filebrowser Quantum via Docker, one as the **master** (central hub) and one as the **remote** (file source), connected via WebDAV. ## Prerequisites - Two Linux machines on the same network (or with network access between them) - Docker and Docker Compose installed on both machines - Filebrowser Quantum v1.3.0-beta or later (WebDAV is included by default) - `rclone` and `fuse3` installed on the master machine ## 1\. Set Up Filebrowser Quantum on the Remote Machine The remote machine is the one whose files you want to access from the master. SSH into the remote machine and run the following commands. ### 1.1\. Create the Directory Structure ```bash mkdir -p /opt/filebrowser-quantum/data ``` ### 1.2\. Create the Docker Compose File ```bash cd /opt/filebrowser-quantum nano docker-compose.yml ``` Paste the following content (replace `` and `` with your values): ```yaml services: filebrowser: image: gtstef/filebrowser:stable container_name: filebrowser-remote volumes: - :/data - ./data:/home/filebrowser/data ports: - ":80" restart: unless-stopped ``` **Example with real values:** ```yaml services: filebrowser: image: gtstef/filebrowser:stable container_name: filebrowser-remote volumes: - /mnt/storage/media:/data - ./data:/home/filebrowser/data ports: - "3670:80" restart: unless-stopped ``` Save and exit (`Ctrl+O`, `Enter`, `Ctrl+X` in nano). ### 1.3\. Create the Filebrowser Config ```bash nano /opt/filebrowser-quantum/data/config.yaml ``` Paste the following content (replace `` with your desired source name): ```yaml server: port: 80 cacheDir: "tmp" sources: - path: /data name: config: defaultEnabled: true ``` **Example with real values:** ```yaml server: port: 80 cacheDir: "tmp" sources: - path: /data name: Media config: defaultEnabled: true ``` Save and exit (`Ctrl+O`, `Enter`, `Ctrl+X`). ### 1.4\. Start the Remote Instance ```bash cd /opt/filebrowser-quantum ``` ```bash docker compose up -d ``` ### 1.5\. Verify It's Running ```bash docker ps | grep filebrowser ``` You should also be able to visit `http://:` in your browser (e.g., `http://172.16.10.14:3670`). ## 2\. Generate a WebDAV API Token on the Remote Machine ### 2.1\. Generate a API Token 1. Open your browser and go to `http://:` 2. Log in with your admin credentials (deault username/password: `admin`/`admin`) 3. Navigate to **Settings -> API Tokens** 4. Create a new token **without** customization enabled (keep the default) 5. Copy the generated token, this is your `` ### 2.2\. Verify the WebDAV Endpoint SSH into the **master machine** and run the following test (replace placeholders with your values): ```bash curl -v -X PROPFIND \ -u "ignored:" \ http://:/dav// ``` **Example:** ```bash curl -v -X PROPFIND \ -u "ignored:eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpc3MiOiJGaW..." \ http://172.16.10.14:3670/dav/Media/ ``` **Expected response:** HTTP `207 Multi-Status` with an XML body listing your files. If you get `401 Unauthorized`, double-check the token. If you get `405 Method Not Allowed`, make sure you're using `-X PROPFIND` (not a regular GET). > **Note:** The WebDAV username field is ignored by Filebrowser Quantum, only the URL and API token matter. ## 3\. Install and Configure rclone on the Master Machine All commands from here on are run on the **master machine**. ### 3.1\. Install rclone and FUSE ```bash sudo apt update ``` ```bash sudo apt install rclone fuse3 -y ``` ### 3.2\. Enable `user_allow_other` for FUSE This allows Docker (running as a different user) to access the FUSE mount: ```bash sudo sed -i 's/#user_allow_other/user_allow_other/' /etc/fuse.conf ``` Verify it was uncommented: ```bash grep user_allow_other /etc/fuse.conf ``` You should see `user_allow_other` without a `#` in front. ### 3.3\. Obscure the API Token rclone requires passwords to be obscured in its config file. Run this command, replacing `` with the token you copied in Step 2: ```bash rclone obscure "" ``` **Example:** ```bash rclone obscure "eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpc3MiOiJGaW..." ``` Copy the output, this is your ``. ### 3.4\. Create the rclone Config Directory ```bash sudo mkdir -p /root/.config/rclone ``` ### 3.5\. Create the rclone Config File ```bash sudo nano /root/.config/rclone/rclone.conf ``` Paste the following content (replace all placeholders): ```ini [] type = webdav url = http://:/dav// vendor = other user = ignored pass = ``` **Example:** ```ini [mediaserver] type = webdav url = http://172.16.10.14:3670/dav/Media/ vendor = other user = ignored pass = q3F4j8K2mNpR7xL5vW9... ``` Save and exit (`Ctrl+O`, `Enter`, `Ctrl+X`). Alternatively, create the config with a single copy-paste command: ```bash sudo tee /root/.config/rclone/rclone.conf << 'EOF' [mediaserver] type = webdav url = http://172.16.10.14:3670/dav/Media/ vendor = other user = ignored pass = PASTE_YOUR_OBSCURED_TOKEN_HERE EOF ``` ### 3.6\. Create the Mount Point ```bash sudo mkdir -p /mnt/WebDavMount/MediaServer ``` ### 3.7\. Test the Mount in Foreground Run this first to verify everything works (press `Ctrl+C` to stop when done): ```bash rclone mount mediaserver:/ /mnt/WebDavMount/MediaServer/ \ --vfs-cache-mode full \ --allow-other \ --config /root/.config/rclone/rclone.conf \ -v ``` Open another terminal and verify the files are visible: ```bash ls /mnt/WebDavMount/MediaServer/ ``` If you see your remote files, press `Ctrl+C` in the first terminal to stop the foreground mount and proceed to Step 4. ## 4\. Create a systemd Service for Auto-Mount at Boot Create a systemd service so the rclone mount starts automatically and doesn't block the boot process if the remote machine is unavailable. ### 4.1\. Create the Service File ```bash sudo nano /etc/systemd/system/rclone-mediaserver.service ``` Paste the following content (replace placeholders if you're using different names/paths): ```ini [Unit] Description=rclone WebDAV mount for After=network-online.target Wants=network-online.target [Service] Type=notify ExecStartPre=/bin/mkdir -p ExecStart=/usr/bin/rclone mount :/ \ --vfs-cache-mode full \ --allow-other \ --config ExecStop=/bin/fusermount -uz Restart=on-failure RestartSec=10 TimeoutStartSec=30 [Install] WantedBy=multi-user.target ``` **Example with real values:** ```ini [Unit] Description=rclone WebDAV mount for MediaServer After=network-online.target Wants=network-online.target [Service] Type=notify ExecStartPre=/bin/mkdir -p /mnt/WebDavMount/MediaServer ExecStart=/usr/bin/rclone mount mediaserver:/ /mnt/WebDavMount/MediaServer/ \ --vfs-cache-mode full \ --allow-other \ --config /root/.config/rclone/rclone.conf ExecStop=/bin/fusermount -uz /mnt/WebDavMount/MediaServer Restart=on-failure RestartSec=10 TimeoutStartSec=30 [Install] WantedBy=multi-user.target ``` Save and exit (`Ctrl+O`, `Enter`, `Ctrl+X`). ### 4.2\. Unmount Any Existing Manual Mount ```bash sudo fusermount -uz /mnt/WebDavMount/MediaServer/ ``` ### 4.3\. Reload systemd and Enable the Service ```bash sudo systemctl daemon-reload ``` ```bash sudo systemctl enable --now rclone-mediaserver.service ``` ### 4.4\. Verify the Service Is Running ```bash sudo systemctl status rclone-mediaserver.service ``` ```bash ls /mnt/WebDavMount/MediaServer/ ``` If the service failed, check the logs: ```bash journalctl -xeu rclone-mediaserver.service --no-pager -n 30 ``` **Key systemd options:** | Option | Purpose | | --------------------------- | ------------------------------------ | | After=network-online.target | Waits for network before mounting | | TimeoutStartSec=30 | Gives up after 30s, won't block boot | | Restart=on-failure | Auto-retries if mount drops | | RestartSec=10 | Waits 10s between retries | > **Common pitfall:** If the service fails with "Config file not found", the `--config` path doesn't match where your `rclone.conf` actually lives. The systemd service runs as root, so if you created the config as a regular user, it may be at `/home//.config/rclone/rclone.conf` instead of `/root/.config/rclone/rclone.conf`. Check with: > > ```bash > find / -name "rclone.conf" 2>/dev/null > > ``` ## 5\. Set Up Filebrowser Quantum on the Master Machine Now configure the master machine's Filebrowser to show both its own local files and the remote machine's files. ### 5.1\. Create the Directory Structure ```bash mkdir -p /opt/filebrowser-quantum/data ``` ### 5.2\. Create the Docker Compose File ```bash cd /opt/filebrowser-quantum ``` ```bash nano docker-compose.yml ``` Paste the following content (replace placeholders): ```yaml services: filebrowser: image: gtstef/filebrowser:stable container_name: filebrowser-master volumes: - :/local-files - :/remote-files:ro - ./data:/home/filebrowser/data ports: - ":80" restart: unless-stopped ``` **Example with real values:** ```yaml services: filebrowser: image: gtstef/filebrowser:stable container_name: filebrowser-master volumes: - /home/user/documents:/local-files - /mnt/WebDavMount/MediaServer:/remote-files:ro - ./data:/home/filebrowser/data ports: - "8080:80" restart: unless-stopped ``` Save and exit (`Ctrl+O`, `Enter`, `Ctrl+X`). > **Note:** The `:ro` flag makes the remote files read-only from the master. Remove it if you want write access (and ensure the API token has modify/create/delete permissions). ### 5.3\. Create the Filebrowser Config ```bash nano /opt/filebrowser-quantum/data/config.yaml ``` Paste the following content (replace `` placeholder): ```yaml server: port: 80 cacheDir: "tmp" sources: - path: /local-files name: LocalFiles config: defaultEnabled: true - path: /remote-files name: -Remote config: defaultEnabled: true ``` **Example with real values:** ```yaml server: port: 80 cacheDir: "tmp" sources: - path: /local-files name: LocalFiles config: defaultEnabled: true - path: /remote-files name: Media-Remote config: defaultEnabled: true ``` Save and exit (`Ctrl+O`, `Enter`, `Ctrl+X`). ### 5.4\. Start the Master Instance ```bash cd /opt/filebrowser-quantum ``` ```bash docker compose up -d --force-recreate ``` ### 5.5\. Verify It's Running ```bash docker ps | grep filebrowser ``` Visit `http://:` (e.g., `http://172.16.10.10:8080`), you should see both "LocalFiles" and "Media-Remote" as sources. ## 6\. Scaling to More Machines To add a third (or fourth, fifth...) machine, repeat Steps 1-4 for each additional remote. ### 6.1\. Add a New Remote to rclone Config ```bash sudo nano /root/.config/rclone/rclone.conf ``` Add a new section at the bottom of the file: ```ini [] type = webdav url = http://:/dav// vendor = other user = ignored pass = ``` **Example config with three remotes:** ```ini [mediaserver] type = webdav url = http://172.16.10.14:3670/dav/Media/ vendor = other user = ignored pass = q3F4j8K2mNpR7xL5vW9... [backupserver] type = webdav url = http://172.16.10.20:8080/dav/Backups/ vendor = other user = ignored pass = xY9kL3mN7pQ2rT5wV8... [devserver] type = webdav url = http://172.16.10.30:8080/dav/Projects/ vendor = other user = ignored pass = aB4cD7eF9gH2jK5mN8... ``` Save and exit (`Ctrl+O`, `Enter`, `Ctrl+X`). ### 6.2\. Create a systemd Service for Each New Remote ```bash sudo nano /etc/systemd/system/rclone-backupserver.service ``` Follow the same template from Step 4, adjusting the remote name, mount path, and config path. ### 6.3\. Create Mount Points for Each Remote ```bash sudo mkdir -p /mnt/WebDavMount/BackupServer ``` ```bash sudo mkdir -p /mnt/WebDavMount/DevServer ``` ### 6.4\. Enable the New Services ```bash sudo systemctl daemon-reload ``` ```bash sudo systemctl enable --now rclone-backupserver.service ``` ```bash sudo systemctl enable --now rclone-devserver.service ``` ### 6.5\. Update the Master's Docker Compose ```bash cd /opt/filebrowser-quantum ``` ```bash nano docker-compose.yml ``` Add the new volumes: ```yaml services: filebrowser: image: gtstef/filebrowser:stable container_name: filebrowser-master volumes: - /home/user/documents:/local-files - /mnt/WebDavMount/MediaServer:/remote-media:ro - /mnt/WebDavMount/BackupServer:/remote-backups:ro - /mnt/WebDavMount/DevServer:/remote-projects:ro - ./data:/home/filebrowser/data ports: - "8080:80" restart: unless-stopped ``` Save and exit (`Ctrl+O`, `Enter`, `Ctrl+X`). ### 6.6\. Restart the Master Filebrowser ```bash docker compose up -d --force-recreate ``` ## 7\. Troubleshooting ### • "Could not authenticate to server: rejected Basic challenge" Check that the API token has `download` permission (at minimum): ```bash curl -v -X PROPFIND \ -u "ignored:" \ http://:/dav// ``` Verify the token in your rclone config is the correct, current token: ```bash sudo cat /root/.config/rclone/rclone.conf ``` ### • "Config file not found" in systemd The service runs as root. Check where your config actually lives: ```bash find / -name "rclone.conf" 2>/dev/null ``` If it's in a user home directory, copy it to root's config: ```bash sudo mkdir -p /root/.config/rclone ``` ```bash sudo cp /home/$(whoami)/.config/rclone/rclone.conf /root/.config/rclone/rclone.conf ``` ### • "mount not ready" with rclone Unmount any stale FUSE mounts: ```bash sudo fusermount -uz /mnt/WebDavMount/MediaServer/ ``` Ensure `fuse3` is installed: ```bash sudo apt install fuse3 -y ``` Ensure `user_allow_other` is uncommented: ```bash grep user_allow_other /etc/fuse.conf ``` Test without `--daemon` first to see verbose errors: ```bash rclone mount mediaserver:/ /mnt/WebDavMount/MediaServer/ \ --vfs-cache-mode full \ --allow-other \ --config /root/.config/rclone/rclone.conf \ -v ``` ### • Remote files not visible in Filebrowser Confirm the rclone mount is active: ```bash ls /mnt/WebDavMount/MediaServer/ ``` Restart the Filebrowser container after mounting: ```bash cd /opt/filebrowser-quantum ``` ```bash docker compose up -d --force-recreate ``` Check that the Docker volume path matches the rclone mount path: ```bash docker inspect filebrowser-master | grep -A5 "Mounts" ``` ### • Performance Considerations - **`--vfs-cache-mode full`** caches files locally for better performance but uses disk space. Tune with `--vfs-cache-max-size 10G` to limit cache size. - On a local gigabit network, rclone's FUSE overhead is negligible for web-based file browsing. - For large media libraries, consider adding `--dir-cache-time 5m` to reduce directory listing latency.