This subsection describes a transfer pattern to send and receive files between FTP clients in a one-to-one configuration or one-to-many configuration.

In this transfer pattern, the file sending system and receiving system can access the HCSC server at any time. Therefore, this transfer pattern is useful for transferring files between systems with different operation time zones, such as overseas sites.

The following figure shows the procedure for transferring a file.

In this figure, FTP client A executes the STOR or APPE command to send a file to the HCSC server (numbers 1 to 11 in the figure). Then, FTP client B executes the RETR command to obtain the file from the HCSC server (numbers 12 to 23 in the figure)

Figure 8-7 Procedure for transferring a file from an FTP client to another FTP client

The following describes the control flow, data transfer flow, and business process flow in the figure. The following numbers correspond to the numbers in the figure.

1. FTP client A executes a transfer command (STOR or APPE command).
2. The FTP inbound adapter that receives the transfer command invokes FTP reception A.
3. FTP reception A creates work folder A.
4. The file data transferred from FTP client A is output to work folder A as an intermediate file.
5. FTP reception A invokes business process A. At this time, the information received from FTP client A, such as the transfer command and intermediate file name, is stored in a request message, and then passed to business process A.
6. File operations adapter A is invoked from business process A. Then file operations adapter A accesses the intermediate file in work folder A.
7. File operations adapter A replicates the intermediate file in work folder A to a common folder (a folder created by the user).
8. A reply activity is executed with business process A, and then a response message is passed to FTP reception A.
9. FTP reception A deletes work folder A and the intermediate file in that folder.
10. FTP reception A returns a response to the FTP inbound adapter.
11. The FTP inbound adapter that receives the response returns the execution result of the transfer command to FTP client A.
12. FTP client B executes a transfer command (RETR command).
13. The FTP inbound adapter that receives the transfer command invokes FTP reception B.
14. FTP reception B creates work folder B.
15. FTP reception B invokes business process B. At this time, the information received from FTP client B, such as the transfer command, is stored in a request message and then passed to business process B.
16. File operations adapter B is invoked from business process B. Then, file operations adapter B accesses the file in the common folder.
17. File operations adapter B replicates the file in the common folder to work folder B.
18. File operations adapter C is invoked from business process B. Then, file operations adapter C reads the intermediate file from work folder B, and then performs processing such as converting the layout and code.
19. A reply activity is executed with business process B, and then a response message containing the intermediate file information is passed to FTP reception B.
20. The intermediate file data indicated in the response message is transferred from the FTP inbound adapter to FTP client B.
21. FTP reception B deletes work folder B and the intermediate file in that folder.
22. FTP reception B returns a response to the FTP inbound adapter.
23. The FTP inbound adapter that receives the response returns the execution result of the transfer command to FTP client B.