FTP

Overview

DBSync's FTP (File Transfer Protocol) connector allows users to exchange files with an FTP server. This connector can be utilized to perform various operations, including downloading files from an FTP server, uploading files to an FTP server, reading multiple files, and writing to one or more files.

Prerequisites

To establish a connection to an external FTP server, the user must:

• Have a valid license for the DBSync FTP connector, along with a username and password to connect to the DBSync iPaaS platform.

• Have sufficient read/write permissions for the required directories on the FTP server.

Connector Configuration

The following parameters are required to configure the FTP connector:

Property	Description	Required	Default Values
HostName	The hostname or IP address of the FTP server.	Yes	ftp://hostname
Port Number	The port number for the connection (default is 21 for FTP, 22 for SFTP).	Yes	FTP: 21, SFTP: 22
UserName	The username for the FTP server account.	Yes
Password	The password for the FTP server account.	Yes
Folder	The folder path for reading/writing files (no leading or trailing slashes).	Yes
Columns	Header columns in the file (optional).	No
Delimiter	The delimiter used in the file (optional).	No
Enable Remote Server	Enables the use of a remote server.	No
Use SSH	Enables the use of SSH for secure connections.	No

Steps to Use the FTP Connector

Login to DBSync Cloud Workflow

1. Navigate to the DBSync website and click on Login.

2. Select Cloud Workflow.

Enter Login Credential

3. Provide your User Name and Password and click Login.

Create a New Project

4. Once logged in, click on Create to start a new project. Name your project (e.g., FTP Integration Project).

Add a Task

5. Click on Add Task and name it (e.g., FTP File Transfer Task).

6. Assign the task to a Bot and click Configure.

Add the FTP Connector

7. In the task configuration screen, look for the option to add connectors. Select Add Connector and choose FTP Connector from the list.

Configure the FTP Connector

8. Enter the required configuration details:

• HostName: Enter the FTP server's hostname or IP address.

• Port Number: Specify the port number (default is 21 for FTP).

• UserName: Provide the username for the FTP server.

• Password: Enter the password for the FTP server.

• Folder: Specify the folder path for file operations.

Define Trigger Properties (for downloading files

9. Set properties such as:

• Store: Choose between "Session" or "InMemory" for storing transferred data.

• Directory: Specify the directory for inbound files.

• File Has Header: Indicate if the file includes a header.

Define Rule Properties (for uploading files)

10. Set properties such as:

• Mode: Choose between "Passive" or "Active" for the FTP connection.

• File Type: Specify the file type (Binary or ASCII).

• File Name: Define the target file name for uploads.

• Directory: Specify the directory on the target FTP server.

Add Conditional Logic (Optional)

11. Implement any conditional actions that determine when the FTP operations should occur based on specific criteria defined in your workflow.

Add Debugging (Optional)

12. To ensure everything is working correctly, you can add a Debug action to print out the status or results of the FTP operations.

Save and Run the Workflow

13. Click Save to store your configuration.

14. Click the 'Run' icon to execute the workflow. Monitor the console output for any errors or confirmation messages regarding the file operations.

Review Logs

15. After running the integration, check the logs to verify that the files were successfully uploaded or downloaded. This will help you identify any issues that may have occurred during the process.

Uses of the FTP Connector

• Automated File Backups: Reduce manual intervention by automating file backups from any CRM or accounting system to a remote FTP server.

• Post Processing of Files: Move files from one directory to another within a file system.

PRO TIP

When configuring the FTP Connector, always use secure FTP (SFTP) when handling sensitive data to ensure secure file transfers.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Does the FTP connector support bi-directional data flow?

Yes, the FTP connector can be configured for both bi-directional and uni-directional data transfers.

2. How frequently can data be synced with an FTP server?

Data can be synced at intervals as short as every five minutes.

3. Is the FTP connector available for both on-demand and on-premise versions?

Yes, the FTP connector can be used with both on-demand and on-premise versions of DBSync Cloud Workflow.

4. Can the FTP connector handle large files?

Yes, the FTP connector is designed to handle large files. However, the performance may vary based on the size of the files and the available network bandwidth.

Related Content

• Why You Should Automate with FTP/FTPS: Automating file transfers using FTP or FTPS in DBSync Cloud Workflow ensures secure and reliable data exchange between your systems.

• Salesforce and FTP/S Integration: Integrate Salesforce with FTP/S using DBSync to automate the exchange of data between your Salesforce environment and external file systems.