Method and apparatus for exposing network administration stored in a directory using http/webdav protocol

Abstract

A method and system to manipulate network objects by using Internet authoring, collaboration and versioning tools is described. The method includes: receiving a request for a manipulation of a first network object from a requesting user; verifying a first set of authorization information; translating a logical address of the first network object to a physical file system path; checking a local file system for validity and authorization for the requesting user including determining whether the first network object is a first network object; verifying a username and a password for the requesting user; returning a first error message if requesting user is unauthorized to access the first network object; determining an object type for the first network object; and sending a response to the requesting user. The method can also include verifying that the first network object is found and returning a second error message if the first network object is not found. The first network object can be user object and the request can be to assign new rights to the user object. The new rights for the user can also be for another network object. The new rights can be assigned by dragging and dropping the user object on another network object by the use of interactive computer screen.