PHP open_basedir with UNC path
<p>Running PHP 5.3.1 on a Windows server, I have to modify a PHP script to access XML files on a network share. For various reasons the files cannot be placed on the PHP server, and I am not allowed to create a mapped drive on the PHP server so I have to modify the open_basedir parameter in PHP.ini to include the UNC path to the share, e.g.:</p>

<pre><code>open_basedir = "E:\inetpub\;E:\DB_HubDataFiles\;\\stdmfps01\inter-departements$\CVSC-CDT-Estimation-Cedule\"
</code></pre>

<p>However when I try to access files on the share I get the "open_basedir restriction in effect" error. I am trying to access the files as follows:</p>

<pre><code>$jobfilename = "//stdmfps01/inter-departements$/CVSC-CDT-Estimation-Cedule/" .$job . ".xml";
if (file_exists($jobfilename)) {
    $jobxml = simplexml_load_file($jobfilename);
    etc...
</code></pre>

<p>I have been assured that it is not a problem of rights, and anyway the error indicates a problem with open_basedir. So my questions are:</p>

<ol>
<li>does open_basedir handle UNC paths under Windows (I have seen conflicting statements about this)?</li>
<li>if so is there some problem with my syntax?</li>
<li>do I have other options than using open_basedir?</li>
</ol>

<p>Thanks.</p>
