FTP Server & Web Publishing

ECS/ie can send Spool files as HTML, PDF or TXT files via FTP to a Local or Web Server. Possible uses are; automated archiving to a local server and Web publishing of Spool files. 

FTP Servers names are configured in an email address format. The process of FTP'ing files to a local/remote server the same as sending an  email with an attachment. emails sent to FTP servers must contain an attachment. The content within the body of the email will not be sent via FTP. 

The FTP Server email address format is REFERENCE@SERVER.FTP . This FTP address is automatically assigned when the FTP Server is configured.   

When ECS/ie reads an email address it searches for the suffix '.FTP' in any case combination. If it finds the suffix then it knows that the message is to be FTP'd. It then retrieves the FTP Server details and sends the file to the server.

If there are configuration errors, authority issues or if ECS/ie cannot connect with the Server via FTP then an Error email is sent to the ECS/ie Administrator.

FTP Server Configuration

• To define a new FTP Server select "FTP Server Maintenance" from the ECS/integrated email panel"Settings" menu.

• The "FTP Server Maintenance" panel should be displayed listing any FTP servers already configured.

• Click the "Add" button to configure a new FTP Server.
• The following "FTP Server Maintenance" panel should be displayed:

• FTP Server Reference Name. This reference will form the first section of the identifying email address that will be assigned to this FTP Server. The reference should relate to the location or type of information to be uploaded. Up to 10 Characters are allowed for the reference.
•  FTP Server Name. This does not have to be the exact Server identification but should be easily recognisable. The Server Name will form the second section of the identifying email address that will be assigned to this FTP Server. Up to 10 characters are allowed for the Server Name. 
• FTP Server TCP/IP Address. Enter the TCP/IP address of the Server. This can be in the format "192.0.0.1" or "ftp.xxx.xxx". 
• Specify Location to Publish files to. Enter the destination Path on the remote server where the published files should be copied. If sendind ASCII files to an AS/400 this should contain the AS/400 Library Name, without slashes (/)
• User Name.. Enter the required User Id for the remote server.
• Password. Enter the password relating to the FTP User Id.
• Request Timeout. Enter the number of seconds ECS/ie should wait before timing out if a connection could not be established. The default is 120 Seconds.
• AS/400 Command to Execute. ECS/ie can be configured to execute an AS/400 command following the successful transfer of the file(s) to the designated FTP Server. Leave this option blank if AS/400 Command execution is not required. Event driven Business Application posting programs can be called using this function, Example: CALL APPLIB/DATAPOST. 
• File Naming Standard. There several options for the file name on the destination server, these include: 
  • The ECS/ie default file naming convention is ATxxxxxx.zzz, where xxxxxx is a sequential number and zzz is the file extension. 
  • Extract File name from spool file using Label. Allows the extraction of transaction reference number for easy file retrieval. Ideal for file archiving where file name could be the same as the Order/Invoice/Customer Number. Specify the Label (ie "Order Number:") and ECS/ie will read throught the spool file and extract the value after the Label. The file will have this name on the destination server.
  • Fixed File Name is ideal for replacing files on a server. Common uses are where a web page requires refreshing on a regular basis. (ie a web based price list)   
  • AS/400 Spool file User Data . The file name on the destination server is is extracted from the Spool file user Data. If this file naming option is selected and the user data is not present then the ECS/ie default file name is used.
  • File Name based on Spool File Attributes. 15 Variations of the Spool file Name/Job/User/Date/Time are available for easy retrieval.
• Append to File. The option to Append to File is only applicable with ASCII type transfers. Selecting this option will add the data to the existing file. Uncheck this box if you require a new file to be created on each transfer.
• Data Type. Select the required data type. Selecting the correct option is important as the data in the resulting file could be scrambled if it is not compatible. As a general rule, Use ASCII for Text file and Flat File transfers. Use Binary for graphic files and for the transfer of AS/400 Save files (SAVF). 

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