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FTPSync is the software we use to upload the changes we make on the local web server, Ant, to Seal, our external web server. FTPSync is a powerful tool, which can simplify the synchronising of your work and the external web server, but if not used properly FTPSync can cause problems severe enough to stop SSWs web site working at all!

The most important thing to remember above all else when using FTPSync is:

No matter what it suggests, NEVER synchronise from Seal to Ant.

By default FTPSync will synchronise completely so that both web sites are identical, this is not what we want; as it would wipe any work-in-progress on Ant. Well see that there are some settings to be aware of to stop FTPSync doing its default behaviour.

  1. To begin using FTPSync you will need to make a connection to the Seal server.

If no SSW connection exists on the start up window, click the Edit button and enter the details shown below:

You will need to obtain the password from the SSW entry in Time PRO!

Note : Make sure "Passive Mode" is on as some servers and firewalls require it and it will still work with those that don't require it.

Passive mode is required by some firewalls/proxy servers and is when the remote server waits (passively) for a data connection from the client, FTPSync, rather than actively making a connection to the client. If you're unsure whether you require passive mode, then set it on.

  1. Once the SSW connection is configured, select the compare checkbox to compare things like date updated and file size and report which file is newer and what files will be overridden by uploading or downloading.

  2. Click on the connect button to establish a connection.

  1. Begin by browsing to the folder on Ant that you wish to synchronise. Tip: If you have multiple folders, do them one folder at a time it saves making errors.

Before going any further, select the Options page from the Tools menu and select the Folder Exclusions tab. Then add _vti_cnf and zz to the exclusions list and check "Activate exclusions". This is a FrontPage folder and is not needed for synchronisation, so excluding it makes comparisons faster.

  1. Browse to the matching location on Seal. Make sure that the path name begins /Inetpub, not /D:/Inetpub

  1. If synchronising involves the creation of new folders on Seal then browse to the folder level above the new folders and make sure you have the Include sub-folders check box checked.

  2. Click on the top item in the left hand pane and the file list will appear.

  3. The files that FTPSync thinks it should synchronise are colour coded. The blue ones are newer on Ant and should go to Seal, the red ones are newer on Seal but remember the rule above you wont sync those red coloured files. Files in black are already in sync.

Note: If everything is blue (or red) and you are not creating an entirely new section of the web site then check that the locations at the top of the right and left panes correspond they probably dont!

  1. The boxes next to the files will be checked, if you want to be extra cautious you should uncheck the ones next to any red files.

  2. Click on the green Synchronise button.

  3. When the next screen appears, take care:

Make sure that the Transfer 0 files from Remote to Local check box is unchecked. Then click the OK button. The transfer will proceed and the window advising of the progress will appear at the start and disappear when finished.

  1. Check that the transfer was successful and that you didnt get any errors.

Copyright 1998, 1999 - FileWare Limited

Acknowledgements

David Reidy
Peter Ahn
Jatin Valabjee