topic Re: FTP and content trigger timing in Alfresco Archive

FTP and content trigger timing

mzm2lh — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 00:10:15 GMT

I have a content rule that triggers when any new files arrive in a folder. I am using FTP to deposit files into this folder, and in a single FTP session I am putting a set of files and then getting them (and comparing checksums) for purposes of ensuring their successful transfer. I am doing this p

Re: FTP and content trigger timing

mrogers — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 10:27:43 GMT

No you can't.

The FTP session is not transactional. So individual PUT commands will commit during the session, and therefore trigger rules.

I don't think it should be neccessary to "checksum" files, have you ever had a repeatable test case where it would have made a difference?

Re: FTP and content trigger timing

mzm2lh — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 23:55:38 GMT

I haven't personally had a problem, I am just trying to respond to a requirement to produce evidence that files are successfully transmitted. Is there a better way to do this?

There may be another flaw in my scheme, because I am advised that Alfresco will rename (add a suffix to) incoming files if a file by the same name already resides in the drop folder. I haven't seen this documented anywhere, but if true it would certainly mess up my approach.

The only other thing I can think of doing is capturing and parsing the ftp log (kind of clunky).

Your advice is very much appreciated.

Re: FTP and content trigger timing

mrogers — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 09:12:09 GMT

No alfresco will not rename files.

I'd expect FTP over TCP to be reliable. If your FTP client says that a put was successful then I'd believe it. (And if that's not the case then lets have a JIRA please.)

People also use SMTP for this type of requirement. That may or may not be an option.