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Introduction

Profiles form the starting points for specifying file transfers, with a Profile being specified each time a command is sent to JADE to start a file transfer operation. 

Among the parameters specified within a Profile is the ProtocolFragment(s) to be used - i.e. one or more references specifying predefined connection configurations.

The subject of this page is the basic principles lying behind this two-stage configuration procedure.

Configuration Elements in the JADE Schema

In the XSD Schema used to structure the JADE configuration parameters, the Profiles element, which is the parent of all individual Profile elements, lies at the top of one of the three major branches in the configuration, alongside the Fragments and General branches. This hierarchy is shown schematically below:

  • Profiles
    • Profile (profile_id='p1')
    • Profile (profile_id='p2')
    • etc....
  • Fragments
    • ProtocolFragments
      • FTPFragment (name= 'f1')
      • FTPFragment (name= 'f2')
      • FTPSFragment (name= 'f3')
      • etc...
  • General

The Fragments branch is the second-most important configuration branch in the Schema, containing the ProfileFragments elements that specify in detail how the transfer is to be carried out.

This two-stage configuration procedure allows a flexibility not possible with a single XML hierarchy and, in particular, allows elements to be reused.

What is a Profile Element?

A Profile can be seen as a specification of what is to be done and contains hierarchical information about:

  • the Operation to be carried out - e.g. Copy or Move,
  • the protocols to be used for the source and, if relevant, target, parts of the transfer and
  • references that specify ProtocolFragment elements. These in turn define in detail how the file transfer connections are to be made.

Any number of profiles can be specified within a file transfer configuration.

What is a ProtocolFragment Element?

ProtocolFragment elements can be seen as a specification of how the file transfer is to be carried out. Each file transfer Profile contains a reference calling at least one ProtocolFragment.

The ProtocolFragment element contains hierarchical information about:

  • the connection - e.g. the Hostname and Port
  • the authentication method - e.g. Account and Password
  • whether a proxy is to be used and the connection and authentication

ProtocolFragments are protocol-specific - that is they apply for a specific protocol and the XSD schema defines which configuration elements can be used for the protocol in question.
For example, the Schema does not  allow SSH authentication to be specified for an FTPFragment.

ProtocolFragments can be thought of as a library of pre-configured connections that can be called up as required.

ProtocolFragment elements can be reused - i.e. a ProtocolFragment can be referenced from any number of profiles.

Configuration Procedure

Whilst Profiles form the starting points when running a file transfer command, with the ProtocolFragments then being called from within a Profile Element, the configuration procedure is usually carried out in the reverse order: The necessary ProtocolFragments are configured first, before the Profile elements which call these fragments are specified.

Referencing Profiles and ProtocolFragments

Both Profiles and ProfileFragments can be seen as predefined file transfer specifications that are called up as required:

All Profile elements require a profile_id attribute which is used to call the profile from the JADE command.

All ProfileFragments require a name attribute which is used to reference the fragment from a child element of the Profile element.

See Running File Transfers with the JADE Client for an example of how to call a Profile.

Configuring File Transfers with the SOS XML Editor

We recommend that you use the SOS XML Editor to generate your whole configuration file. The editor effectively functions like a wizard: due to the use of the JADE XSD schema in the editor, you will be effectively guided through the configuration process and end up with a validated configuration that you can implement as required.

General Comments

The advantage of this approach - which may at first seen somewhat complex - is that:

  • fragments can flexibly reused within the otherwise strict XML hierarchy and
  • configurations can be validated against an XSD schema. Validation means that the possibility of configuration errors is greatly reduced.

A Fragment can be used as both a source or as a target within the one Configuration.

Further Information

  • The use of the Operations element - the only Profiles child element whose use is required - is described in the Operation Element section of this manual.
  • The Profile child elements are described in detail in the Profiles parameter reference.

 

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