FTP

Distributes files from one or more FTP sources. Each source can contain one or more directories and/or files.

The FTP Distribution type enables the files to pass through your firewall as they are gathered into the Distribution.

If a target file is found to be locked during extraction, the Subscriber throws an exception stating that the file could not be copied. The Distributor receives this information from the Subscriber and logs the failure in the reporting database.

If you want to distribute an RPM software package from a Linux* or Solaris* FTP site, use the RPM type of Distribution rather than the FTP type.

Select Type
Select FTP.

Files To Be Distributed
An expandable tree structure showing target paths to the FTP files to be distributed.

Modify the Distribution's content as needed, then either click Apply to save the updated Distribution contents list, or click OK to save the changes and exit the Distribution's properties.

New FTP Source
Specifies an FTP server from which to gather files for distribution:

• FTP Server: Specify the fully qualified host name of the FTP server.
• Login Name: Specify the login name that the Distributor Agent should use to access the FTP server. The default is Anonymous, which is often sufficient.
• Password: Provide the password for the login name. (You may need to scroll to the right to see the field.) For Anonymous, the password is typically your e-mail address.

New Target
If you are not using the default variable %DEST_VOLUME%, replace it with a target location where you want the FTP files to be distributed; for example:

• A volume on a NetWare^® server, such as data:\
• A drive on a Windows* server, such as D:\
• A file system on a Linux or Solaris server, such as /

Otherwise, press Enter to accept the variable.

The target can also be a full or partial path, not just the root designation of volume, drive, or root. For example:

• A volume on a NetWare server, such as data:\ftp_distribution\files
• A drive on a Windows server, such as d:\ftp_distribution\files
• A file system on a Linux or Solaris server, such as /user/ftp_distribution/files

You must press Enter to add the target location change to the Distribution contents list.

Any target entries that do not exist in the target location are automatically created by the Distribution.

Add Directory
Builds the target path. If you did not provide the full path using the New Targret option, replace "New Directory" with a directory name.

You can add multiple directories with this option to create the full path. You can also add sibling directories, as determined by which subdirectory you select before clicking Add Directory, to create additional paths.

You must press Enter each time to add the target directory change to the path.

Add Files
If you specified the correct FTP server information under New FTP Source, then you are provided access to the FTP server. Browse for the files. You can add multiple files.

If you added sibling directories using Add Directory, be sure to select those target paths and click Add Files to browse for the files to be distributed to those path locations.

When you are finished adding files and target locations, either click Apply to save the updated Distribution contents list, or click OK to save the changes and exit the Distribution's properties.

Delete
Deletes whatever you have selected:

• Root Location: Removes all directories and FTP files below it from the tree.
• Directory: Removes the directory and any of its FTP files and subdirectories from the tree.
• File: Removes the FTP file from the tree, but not the files from the FTP location.

Deleting any part of a target location, including a directory, means that the designated FTP files that were in the Distribution are no longer sent to the deleted location.

However, deleting FTP files from the Distribution means that the corresponding files are deleted from each Subscriber server when the Distribution is sent again and processed.

Click Apply to save your changes.

Properties
Displays the properties of the selected FTP source.

Binary Transfer
Enables file transfers in binary for when you are distributing executable files. Text files do not require a binary transfer.

Include Symbolic Link Files
If you want all symbolic link files in the added directory (including from all of its subdirectories) to be part of the FTP Distribution, select this check box. This applies only when you add a directory.

You do not need to select this check box for individually-added symbolic link files.

This check box does not have any control over whether symbolic link files are displayed when browsing to add directories and files.

Click Apply to save your changes, or click OK to save the changes and exit the Distribution's properties.

A trademark symbol (^®, ^TM, etc.) denotes a Novell trademark. An asterisk denotes a third-party trademark. For more information, see Legal Notices.