HP 3000 Manuals HP 3000 Manuals
External File Transfer External File Transfer (EFT) is a useful back-up method where data communication links are unreliable or alternative routes are unavailable. With DS/3000 or NS/3000, HP Desk messages are transported from the database of one computer to that of another via data communication lines. With EFT, messages are transferred as files rather than directly between databases. As they are destined for another HP Desk system, they retain their HP Desk format but this is serialized so they can be stored in conventional MPE files. Typically the medium for EFT is magnetic tape. The computer from which HP Desk messages will enter or leave the HP Desk system must be configured with a gateway for each separate destination and transport medium used. You have to supply a name for the gateway. This should be a meaningful name, perhaps one which describes the destination addressed through the gateway. All messages transported through that gateway will be in HP Desk internal format so the gateway must be configured for that format. You must supply an external application program to arrange the transport of the messages. The same program can be designed to introduce EFT files from the foreign medium to HP Desk. Details of the formats used and information on how to write these programs is in HP DeskManager Customization. The Pharaoh Company's Network Co-ordinator has decided to set up two EFT links. The first is between NEWYORK and LONDON. This link is intended as an emergency back-up between US Corporate Headquarters and the European Corporate Headquarters and the European Sales Office. Because of the importance of the majority of messages transmitted between these offices, the Network Co-ordinator decided that an EFT link is necessary as an ultimate contingency. If all other means of transport fail, HP Desk messages can be transferred to magnetic tape and sent by 24-hour courier. The second link is between SANFRAN and SINGPORE. This link is necessary because the datacomm link between America and Singapore is not considered reliable enough to use without a back-up. This link is expected to be used more frequently than the one between NEWYORK and LONDON. Accordingly, the Network Co-ordinator instructed the HP Desk Administrators in both San Francisco and Singapore to configure EFT gateways using magnetic tape such that the delay in the delivery of HP Desk messages would be no more than two working days. The conventional data communication link would be configured to be available as usual. However, if this fails, the availability of the EFT gateway could be changed so that messages could be routed through the gateway to tape.