IBM Mainframe Forum

Again, I'd love to hear an explanation of why does a file HAVE to be stored on the actual desktop. Why is it not good enough to FTP the file to a corporate server and use it from that location?

Repeating MrSpock:

1. In order for FTP to function, there HAS to be a client and a server. If you don't have an active FTP server to connect to, then it can't be done. Period. End of story. I'll never understand why, if you have a business need to transfer files, your company won't provide an adequate solution.

Unless your workstation is running as a FTP server, it will not work.

The scenario you describe is not clear because you do not specifically identify what server you refer to.

Hello,

If you don't have an active FTP server to connect to, then it can't be done. Period. End of story.

Yes, but either the terminal or the mainframe can be the "server". . .

To do what i believe is wanted, simply using the pc as the client will take care of the "problem". This can be automated. Given that TS is a beginner, i believe a lower-level "solution" is needed. Everyone i've met for a long, long time has been able to download a file from an ftp server. . .

To test this is suggest TS manually download the data as a test. Then, automate the process using whatever is available on the user's pc (which may require a bit of conversation with the desktop/network support).

All Windoze systems that have TCP/IP installed have an FTP client. The FTP ciient can be partially automated by specifying an input command file when starting the command:

ftp -s:command-file host-name

There are other command line options. You can get a list -

ftp -?

This FTP client runs in a command prompt window.

The WS-FTP program is a regular Windoze application. Many people use it successfully. I, personally, have never used it, so all I know about it is what I read here on the boards, though I have had success with the FTP command in the command prompt window.

When I did a Google search for WS-FTP I discovered there are two versions: a pay version and a free "limited edition." Regardlless of the version, you have to download it and install it; it does not come with Windoze.

There are a couple of free FTP servers for Windoze, but the only time I tried one recently I could not get it to work. This server had a couple of unpleasant attributes, too. In particular, it appeared to start when Windoze was booted; behavior I personally think is unacceptable. Back in 1999 I got one working on Win 95, but I don't recall its name. There is a standard FTP server for Windoze Server systems, but I don't have a license for Windoze server, so I can't try it.

Hello,

No one (especially a beginner) should take on downloading an "FTP Server" to install on their pc at work. Most organizations do not permit individual's systems to be configured as an ftp server regardless of which software or who installs it. . .

WS-FTP works quite well. This too should not be downloaded/installed on corporate equipment unless approved/directed by the people responsible for desktop and/or network support.

Using the command prompt ftp can be automated. . .

Hi All,
I do understand that my Local Desktop Machine is the client and i am trying to fetch information from the Mainframe server.

@MrSpock : My code gets data , formats it and wants to store it to the machine....The who purpose of making the report file is lost if i cant get it to the desktop machine.

I do understand that my Local Desktop Machine is the client and i am trying to fetch information from the Mainframe server.

This is true if -- AND ONLY IF -- you are connecting from the PC to the mainframe, which means the process cannot be automated on the mainframe side. If you are wanting to automate a batch job to do the transfer from the mainframe to your desktop, then it cannot be done without installing server software on the PC -- period.

Hello,

Is the entire reason for this "download" to create a backup copy of the info in case the original is not available?

If so, why not simply make a copy with a different dataset name on the mainframe?

Maybe, i've misunderstood. . .

You can copy data to a workstation file. See my post earlier in this thread: Tue Jan 04, 2011 2:44 pm

Again, the original poster has failed to disclose why it's necessary to download only to a local drive on a desktop workstation. Why can't the same data be directly acessed from a mapped network drive mounted on a network server? If there is a business need for this, why is the company not providing a reasonable solution? Why are they not providing a desktop workstation or desktop server WITH a fully enabled FTP server? Or, some other technology?