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Task 3: Load Files into Oracle iFS

This chapter provides information on the different protocols and methods you can use to load files into Oracle iFS. The following topics are included:

• The Four Ways to Load Files into Oracle iFS

• Drag and Drop Files into Oracle iFS

• FTP Your Files into Oracle iFS

• Upload Files Using the Web

• Upload Files Using the Command Line Utilities

• Versioned Vs. Non-Versioned Files

• Deleting Older File Versions

• Migrating Your Data

The Four Ways to Load Files into Oracle iFS

This section discusses the four possible ways of loading documents into Oracle iFS. Remember to set the default ACL on your user ID to ensure that loaded files have the correct security.

Drag and Drop in the Windows and Web Interfaces

In both the Windows Explorer and the Web interface, you can drag and drop files into Oracle iFS. When you load files using either SMB or drag and drop in the Web interface, the XML files are parsed by default. If you do not want the XML files to be parsed, you must use another protocol to load your files.

Use FTP to Load Files

While running the FTP server, you can use any FTP client to load files into Oracle iFS. Using the FTP protocol is the most efficient way to perform bulk file loading.

When you load files using FTP, XML files are parsed by default. You can turn off the parsing mode by using a quote command.

Browse and Upload Using the Web Interface

Using the Web, choose Upload by Browse and select the file to upload. You can select to parse the file and apply an ACL. This is an efficient tool because it can be used from any machine and does not require any client installation except for a browser.

Use the Command Line Utilities

You can use the Command Line Utilities to load files into Oracle iFS by using the ifsmv command or the ifsput command. When you load files into Oracle iFS using the Command Line Utilities, XML files are parsed by default. You can turn off the parsing mode by using the ifsmode parse off command.

See Also

• For more information on using the Command Line Utilities to load files into Oracle iFS, see Appendix A, "Command Line Utilities Reference".

Drag and Drop Files into Oracle iFS

In Windows:

1. Select the files from your local directory.

2. Drag and drop the files into a folder on the Oracle iFS drive.

In the Web interface:

1. Navigate to the folder where you want to store the file.

2. Click the Upload icon and choose Via drag and drop. An Upload window is displayed with the current folder information.

3. Select one or more files, then drag and drop them into the Upload window.

4. Click OK to confirm that you want to upload the files. If you are uploading multiple files, a progress window appears and lists each file as it is transferred to Oracle iFS.

5. You can continue to drag files into the Current Directory window to transfer additional files. When you are finished uploading files, close the Current Directory window.

   Note: You cannot upload folders using this method. You must explicitly create the folders by navigating to where you want the new folder, then clicking the New icon and choosing Folder. In the dialog box, type the name for the new folder.

FTP Your Files into Oracle iFS

To FTP your files into Oracle iFS, the following requirements must be met:

• An FTP client must be installed on your local machine.

• You must know the port number for FTP, which is chosen during configuration.

• An account on the Oracle iFS server must be already set up.

To FTP your files into Oracle iFS:

1. Using an FTP client, log into the Oracle iFS server. You can use either the hostname of the Oracle iFS server or its IP address.

2. Navigate to the files on your local machine that you want to load into Oracle iFS and use your FTP client's utilities to load the files.

Note: If you have trouble logging into Oracle iFS using your FTP client, make sure to enter the correct port, which is chosen during configuration of Oracle iFS.

Upload Files Using the Web

Using the Web interface, you can only load one file at a time:

1. Navigate to the directory where you want to store the file.

2. Click the Upload icon and select Via Browse.

3. In the Upload window, click the Browse button.

4. Locate the file you want to upload and click Open.

5. In the Options section, the following options are available:
   • Apply ACL--Select the ACL you want to apply to the file from the drop-down list. You must use an existing ACL. The default document ACL is PRIVATE.

   • Language--Select the language for this file. This option cannot be used to convert from one language to another.

   • Character Set--Select the character set for this file.

6. In the Upload window, click the Upload button.

TipsWhen you want to view a file using the Web interface that is not recognized, a new navigator window is opened and a dialog prompts for you to pick the application, save the file, or cancel this operation.

Upload Files Using the Command Line Utilities

To browse and upload files using the Command Line Utilities:

1. Login into Oracle iFS using the following command:

   ifslogin system/<password>

2. Browse the repository to select the file you want to upload. Use the following command:

   ifscd /public

3. Load the selected files. Use the following command:

   ifsput myfile.doc

Versioned Vs. Non-Versioned Files

Versioning is a way of keeping previous copies of files available in case you need a history of the changes. Whenever you check in a versioned file, Oracle iFS automatically creates a new version and keeps a copy of the older file. For example, if you make a change to a memo and save it, then decide that you made a mistake, you can retrieve the old version instead of trying to reconstruct it from memory.

Once a file has been versioned, users can check out the file, replace it with an updated version, then check in the file. Each time the file is checked in, a new version is created and stored.

Using versioned files takes up more disk space because a copy of each version is saved on your system. Older versions also count against a user's quota.

The benefits of versioning, such as maintaining a history of a file, need to be weighed against the disk space and quota requirements.

As an administrator, you have the option to purge older versions, assuming they are no longer needed to help manage your disk space.

See Also

For more information on versioning a file, see the Oracle Internet File System User's Guide.

Deleting Older File Versions

Often, you will need to delete out-dated versions of files to free up space. You can perform this task using either the Web or Windows interface. You do not need to be an administrator to perform this task.

Using the Web Interface to Delete Old Versions of Versioned Files

To delete old versions of versioned files:

1. Navigate to the versioned file you want to delete and select it by checking its Select box.

2. Click Edit on the toolbar and select History.

3. Select one or more old versions and click Delete.

Using the Windows Interface to Delete Old Versions of Versioned Files

To delete old versions of versioned files:

1. Navigate to the versioned file you want to delete and select it.

2. Right-click file, and select Properties.

3. On the Properties dialog box, select the Oracle iFS Versions tab.

   Select the version you want to delete and click Remove.

Migrating Your Data

You may want to migrate data from an old file system to Oracle iFS.

1. Log into Oracle iFS through Microsoft Windows as an administrator.

2. Click and drag the entire directory structure from the original file system into Oracle iFS,

   -or-

   Drag different parts of the directory tree separately, confirming that each part of the tree has been copied before copying the next one.

3. Log into Oracle iFS through Windows as a test user and verify that all the files and folders are accessible.

4. From the Start menu, select Oracle iFS from the Find option and perform a series of searches--on both filename and contents--to ensure that users can find files easily.