batch mode ftp from Paradox

[Shauna Haines]

I've run into a brick wall in the process of automating an ftp transfer
from within Paradox. I found a previous post or two that recommended using
execute() to run a batch file that conducts the ftp session. That seems
logical and straightforward. So I created a .bat file that calls ftp using
a .txt file that contains the ftp commands to open the port, give the
userid and password, navigate, do whatever transfer is necessary, and quit.

My problem comes not with the Paradox part but with the automated ftp part.

The Windows built-in ftp client can't use passive mode, which is required
to connect to the ftp server that we need to connect to. We don't have
control over the server or their firewall. Any suggestions for a different
ftp client or a way to script this directly from Paradox?

Thanks,
Shauna

[Rick Kelly]

http://www.crooit.com/pweburl.htm
--
For the quickest and best Paradox support see:

http://www.thedbcommunity.com/support/

Rick Kelly
Crooit Software
http://www.crooit.com

Reflect on your present blessings,
of which every man has many,
not on your past misfortunes,
of which all men have some.

Charles Dickens

[Mark Bannister]

I use xceed ftp software. http://www.xceedsoft.com/ Works well in pdox.
Little pricey

Post by Shauna Haines
I've run into a brick wall in the process of automating an ftp transfer
from within Paradox. I found a previous post or two that recommended using
execute() to run a batch file that conducts the ftp session. That seems
logical and straightforward. So I created a .bat file that calls ftp using
a .txt file that contains the ftp commands to open the port, give the
userid and password, navigate, do whatever transfer is necessary, and quit.
My problem comes not with the Paradox part but with the automated ftp part.
The Windows built-in ftp client can't use passive mode, which is required
to connect to the ftp server that we need to connect to. We don't have
control over the server or their firewall. Any suggestions for a different
ftp client or a way to script this directly from Paradox?
Thanks,
Shauna

[Jonathan Wright]

Post by Shauna Haines
I've run into a brick wall in the process of automating an ftp
transfer from within Paradox. I found a previous post or two that
recommended using execute() to run a batch file that conducts the ftp
session. That seems logical and straightforward. So I created a .bat
file that calls ftp using a .txt file that contains the ftp commands
to open the port, give the userid and password, navigate, do whatever
transfer is necessary, and quit.
My problem comes not with the Paradox part but with the automated ftp part.
The Windows built-in ftp client can't use passive mode, which is
required to connect to the ftp server that we need to connect to. We
don't have control over the server or their firewall. Any suggestions
for a different ftp client or a way to script this directly from
Paradox?
Thanks,
Shauna

What was the command line you tried to use you should be able to use
the Microsoft ftp command to run scripts using ftp -i -n -s:<filename>

[Jeff Shoaf]

I've got a library that works with a freeware FTP dll that works really
well. I'll be glad to send it (library and dll)to you if you'd like to
try it.

Post by Shauna Haines
I've run into a brick wall in the process of automating an ftp transfer
from within Paradox. I found a previous post or two that recommended using
execute() to run a batch file that conducts the ftp session. That seems
logical and straightforward. So I created a .bat file that calls ftp using
a .txt file that contains the ftp commands to open the port, give the
userid and password, navigate, do whatever transfer is necessary, and quit.
My problem comes not with the Paradox part but with the automated ftp part.
The Windows built-in ftp client can't use passive mode, which is required
to connect to the ftp server that we need to connect to. We don't have
control over the server or their firewall. Any suggestions for a different
ftp client or a way to script this directly from Paradox?
Thanks,
Shauna

[Thies Grimm]

Hi,

I would love to try it, too.

Thies

Post by Jeff Shoaf
I've got a library that works with a freeware FTP dll that works really
well. I'll be glad to send it (library and dll)to you if you'd like to
try it.

Post by Shauna Haines
I've run into a brick wall in the process of automating an ftp
transfer from within Paradox. I found a previous post or two that
recommended using execute() to run a batch file that conducts the ftp
session. That seems logical and straightforward. So I created a .bat
file that calls ftp using a .txt file that contains the ftp commands
to open the port, give the userid and password, navigate, do whatever
transfer is necessary, and quit.
My problem comes not with the Paradox part but with the automated ftp part.
The Windows built-in ftp client can't use passive mode, which is
required to connect to the ftp server that we need to connect to. We
don't have control over the server or their firewall. Any suggestions
for a different ftp client or a way to script this directly from Paradox?
Thanks,
Shauna

[Jeff Shoaf]

I've sent it directly to you.

Post by Thies Grimm
Hi,
I would love to try it, too.
Thies

Post by Jeff Shoaf
I've got a library that works with a freeware FTP dll that works
really well. I'll be glad to send it (library and dll)to you if you'd
like to try it.

Post by Shauna Haines
I've run into a brick wall in the process of automating an ftp
transfer from within Paradox. I found a previous post or two that
recommended using execute() to run a batch file that conducts the ftp
session. That seems logical and straightforward. So I created a .bat
file that calls ftp using a .txt file that contains the ftp commands
to open the port, give the userid and password, navigate, do whatever
transfer is necessary, and quit.
My problem comes not with the Paradox part but with the automated ftp part.
The Windows built-in ftp client can't use passive mode, which is
required to connect to the ftp server that we need to connect to. We
don't have control over the server or their firewall. Any suggestions
for a different ftp client or a way to script this directly from Paradox?
Thanks,
Shauna

[Shauna Haines]

Thanks, Jeff (and Rick, Mark, and Jonathan too). I've tried MOVEit Freely,
another freeware product, with success. But I'd like to see yours as well
if you are willing. Since my code will be part of a commercial product, I'd
need to communicate with the writer of the freeware about distribution, as
we did with MOVEit Freely.

http://www.standardnetworks.com/products/?category_number=7
&subcategory_number=1
(watch for word-wrap)

I have had one additional problem. My code works fine on our test server.
But the same test on the third-party ftp server that will be used has one
glitch. One of the things my code needs to do is test for the presence of a
particular file and if it is there, skip the step that would overwrite it
with a new one. Since the ftp commands don't include a conditional, I
figured I'd try to GET the file as a slightly different name and then check
to see if it was received or not. If not received, open a second ftp
session and PUT the file.

As I mentioned, this works fine on our test ftp server. But on the third-
party server if the GET command fails the session hangs instead of
proceeding to the next step (which is QUIT). Is there some setting which
needs to be different, and if so can I change it in my own ftp session only
or is this something the third-party has to do for all sessions?
Simply telling the PUT command not to overwrite won't do -- I need to know
whether the file was overwritten or not.

Shauna

Post by Jeff Shoaf
I've got a library that works with a freeware FTP dll that works
really well. I'll be glad to send it (library and dll)to you if you'd
like to try it.

Post by Shauna Haines
I've run into a brick wall in the process of automating an ftp
transfer from within Paradox. I found a previous post or two that
recommended using execute() to run a batch file that conducts the ftp
session. That seems logical and straightforward. So I created a .bat
file that calls ftp using a .txt file that contains the ftp commands
to open the port, give the userid and password, navigate, do whatever
transfer is necessary, and quit.
My problem comes not with the Paradox part but with the automated ftp part.
The Windows built-in ftp client can't use passive mode, which is
required to connect to the ftp server that we need to connect to. We
don't have control over the server or their firewall. Any suggestions
for a different ftp client or a way to script this directly from
Paradox?
Thanks,
Shauna

[Shauna Haines]

Sorry, my last problem was due to -- you guessed it -- user error! I
forgot to include the "passive" line in the text file of ftp commands, so
my session wasn't switching to passive mode. I put in that line and now
everything works fine.

Shauna

Post by Shauna Haines
Thanks, Jeff (and Rick, Mark, and Jonathan too). I've tried MOVEit
Freely, another freeware product, with success. But I'd like to see
yours as well if you are willing. Since my code will be part of a
commercial product, I'd need to communicate with the writer of the
freeware about distribution, as we did with MOVEit Freely.
http://www.standardnetworks.com/products/?category_number=7
&subcategory_number=1
(watch for word-wrap)
I have had one additional problem. My code works fine on our test
server. But the same test on the third-party ftp server that will be
used has one glitch. One of the things my code needs to do is test for
the presence of a particular file and if it is there, skip the step
that would overwrite it with a new one. Since the ftp commands don't
include a conditional, I figured I'd try to GET the file as a slightly
different name and then check to see if it was received or not. If not
received, open a second ftp session and PUT the file.
As I mentioned, this works fine on our test ftp server. But on the
third- party server if the GET command fails the session hangs instead
of proceeding to the next step (which is QUIT). Is there some setting
which needs to be different, and if so can I change it in my own ftp
session only or is this something the third-party has to do for all
sessions? Simply telling the PUT command not to overwrite won't do --
I need to know whether the file was overwritten or not.
Shauna

Post by Jeff Shoaf
I've got a library that works with a freeware FTP dll that works
really well. I'll be glad to send it (library and dll)to you if you'd
like to try it.

Post by Shauna Haines
I've run into a brick wall in the process of automating an ftp
transfer from within Paradox. I found a previous post or two that
recommended using execute() to run a batch file that conducts the
ftp session. That seems logical and straightforward. So I created a
.bat file that calls ftp using a .txt file that contains the ftp
commands to open the port, give the userid and password, navigate,
do whatever transfer is necessary, and quit.
My problem comes not with the Paradox part but with the automated ftp part.
The Windows built-in ftp client can't use passive mode, which is
required to connect to the ftp server that we need to connect to. We
don't have control over the server or their firewall. Any
suggestions for a different ftp client or a way to script this
directly from Paradox?
Thanks,
Shauna

[Jeff Shoaf]

I've sent the .dll, library, and supporting files directly to you.

Post by Shauna Haines
Thanks, Jeff (and Rick, Mark, and Jonathan too). I've tried MOVEit Freely,
another freeware product, with success. But I'd like to see yours as well
if you are willing. Since my code will be part of a commercial product, I'd
need to communicate with the writer of the freeware about distribution, as
we did with MOVEit Freely.