File Transfer in Arcus
Uploading Large Files
Large files in Arcus are considered to be any file larger than 100mb in size. There are several methods to upload files larger than 100mb into Arcus, and all methods leverage Arcus Assets. Assets give the users better control over configuration management and versioning and provides hooks for automating the loading and parsing of data.
Method 1 - Upload your files into Arcus using an Asset
Create an Asset Script that parks the desired files into a directory and add this “File Upload” Asset to the system. If you’re not sure how to create this asset, there are “Copy Media to Directory” certified community assets available that can be easily modified to include your desired upload.
Method 2 - For Uploads Larger than 4GB in size
If the package of files is larger than 4GB in size, the user will need to break up the large file into asset-sized chunks (e.g. less than 4GB). To do this, create an asset script that parks the files in a directory as above, and create a second asset that assembles the parts like so:
$ split -b2000m myhugefile.tar.gz myhugefile.tar.gz
This will create 2GB chunks with names:
myhugefile.tar.gzaa
myhugefile.tar.gzab
Then the assembly asset should cat each file together in order:
$ cat myhugefile.tar.gzaa >> myhugefile.tar.gz
$ cat myhugefile.tar.gzab >> myhugefile.tar.gz
Now the larger file can be assembled on the system.
Method 3 - Provide files via physical hardware or AMRDEC/SAFE
Users can also make the file available to the Arcus Community Team (via AMRDEC/SAFE, or via mailed DVD) and help you create a basic asset to get these files uploaded to your system.
Uploading Small Files via Remote Access
Small files in Arcus are considered to be any file smaller than 100mb in size. Arcus provides several convenient ways to upload smaller files via Remote Access including drag-and-drop, via clipboard, Linux SSH or VNC, and Windows RDP. If users need to automate the upload of files into multiple systems or repeat the process more than a few times, please consider using an Asset to upload files. Using an Asset to upload files will give the users better control over configuration management, versioning, and provide hooks for automating the loading and parsing of data
Note: Files to Windows host machines via remote access are ephemeral and session-based, and therefore must be manually copied to a location on the host machine for the file to be available after the remote access session is closed. Files that remain in the default upload folder from either drag-and-drop or remote session menu (as described in the sections below) will not be permanently stored on the host machine if they are not moved to another location.
Method 1 - Upload a file using the remote session menu
- Open a remote session.
- CTL+ALT and SHIFT, this will open the remote session menu.
- Click the hard drive icon and browse to the file you wish to upload onto your remote computer.
- Click the Upload button
- Select the file from your local system
Method 2 - Drag and drop
- Open a remote SSH or RDP session.
- Drag and drop a file into the session window.
- Linux Only The file will be copied into the home directory of the user that initially logged in.
- Windows Only Open the list of drives in My Computer, open the Cons3rt drive, select your file.
Method 3 - Data Transfer via clipboard
Very small amounts of data can be transferred via the clipboard.
- Open the remote SSH, VNC or RDP session.
- CTL+ALT and SHIFT, this will open the remote session menu.
- Paste info into the clipboard window to send to the remote system.
- Or, copy info on the remote system and it will appear in the clipboard window.
Downloading files from Arcus
Method 1 - Download a file from your deployed system
- Open the remote session.
- CTL+ALT and SHIFT, this will open the remote session menu.
- Click the hard drive icon on the side bar and browse to the file you wish to download onto your local computer.
- Double click on the file.
- A download box will appear with a link when the file is ready to download
- Click the download link, and save the file to your local computer
Method 2- Alternate Windows Download for a file from your deployed system
- Open the list of drives in My Computer
- Open the Cons3rt share icon
- Drop the file you wish to download into the folder named, “Download”
Method 3 - File Transfer via Download
Supported on Linux and Windows VMs. Deployed systems generally have outbound internet access.
- Use Dropbox/Google Drive/DI2E repo/etc.
- Use a file transfer service (e.g. AMRDEC)
- Email file to yourself
- Create a Linux share server in your cloudspace; add the files using the File Transfer over Remote Access method; connect to file share from your Windows or Linux system
- Make a direct connection to an external source
Method 4 - Data Transfer via clipboard
Very small amounts of data can be transferred via the clipboard.
- Open the remote SSH, VNC or RDP session.
- CTL+ALT and SHIFT, this will open the remote session menu.
- Paste info into the clipboard window to send to the remote system.
- Or, copy info on the remote system and it will appear in the clipboard window.
Remote Access File Transfer and Clipboard Restrictions
File transfer in Arcus can be restricted by Team Managers, depending on the security needs of the respective Project. Read more about locking down file upload/download and clipboard copy/paste here
Tips for File Transfer to/from Windows Systems
NOTE: Windows systems with Group Policies applied (such as the Standard Desktop and STIGed systems), may not be able to see the shared drive as disabled by security. Try these steps to enable:
- Go to a command prompt using run as administrator on the SDC
- Run this: reg add “HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows NT\Terminal Services” /v “fDisableCdm” /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f
- Reboot and remote access back into the system
Note: For Internet Explorer users remotely downloading files from deployment runs; Internet Explorer will automatically attempt to open some file types (i.e .txt, .jpg, etc). When downloading this from the remotely access host, you will need to change the file extension in order for it to be downloaded. Uploads are not impacted.
Tips for File Transfer to/from VNC or SSH Sessions
For file transfer on VNC, the INITIAL user credentials (set by the owner of the Run during deployment) are what governs file/folder permissions regardless of further credential changes once logged in (ie. user changes to a root user, or any other user once they are in the system). any su or sudo commands have no bearing on file transfer permissions.
Note: If the changing the credentials from the username/password that Arcus automatically creates, the user must make a custom connection for file transfer to work correctly.
More Help
Review these processes with our video tutorials: