Overview:

This document describes how file transfers to and from a host computer can be automated through the FastSync Mailbox System. File transfers to the host are automated using the Event Scheduler shipped with every Mailbox Client. File transfers from the host are automated using the built-in Automated Mailbox capability of the Post Office Administrator. All host file transfers also require additional host access software: either CTI's ftpXfer utility (for FTP file transfers), or a third party package. Refer to the Event Scheduler, Post Office Administrator and ftpxfer documentation for additional information concerning these products.

Automating File Transfers to a Host:

To automate file transfers to a host computer, you must establish an Automated Mailbox from within the Post Office Administrator. The Automated Mailbox will be configured with an executable command line to be run automatically whenever any files are sent to it. The executable command line must specify the command necessary to transfer the file to the host computer. Alternatively, the executable command line may specify a batch file which includes the file transfer command as well as other file processing commands (such as performing ASCII to EBCDIC conversions).

For example, if the host computer runs FTP server software, CTI’s ftpxfer utility can be used to forward received files to the host as demonstrated in the following executable command line:

"c:\program files\mailbox\ftpxfer" put; @FILE; autofile.xxx; ftp.srv.com; Anonymous

This command causes the ftpxfer utility to be run on each received file, causing the file to be saved as "autofile.xxx" in ftp.srv.com’s home directory. The log in is anonymous.

Automating File Transfers From a Host:

File transfers from a host computer are automated using CTI’s Event Scheduler. Rather than having the Event Scheduler open a Mailbox Client session directly, however, the Event Scheduler should be configured to run a batch file that performs the following functions:

1. Copies the desired files from the host computer to a local directory.
2. Performs any optional file processing (e.g. EBCDIC to ASCII conversion).
3. Opens a Mailbox Client session.

For example, the following 2 line batch file would retrieve a file called dummy.svr from ftp.bigserver.com (logged in as IUSR_BIG with a password of SESAME) then open a mailbox session called autoxfer.us to send the file:

1.  ftpxfer get; dummy.svr; c:\temp\dummy.svr; ftp.bigserver.com; IUSR_BIG; SESAME

2.  mailbox Autosession=c:\program files\mailbox\user\autoxfer.us

Assuming that this batch file is named "auto.bat" and stored in the "c:\program files\mailbox" directory, the Event Scheduler can be configured to automatically launch it by creating an event with an application command line of "auto.bat" and a working directory of c\/program files\mailbox."