Update Files in the File Distribution Library
PolicyCenter includes a file distribution service that can obtain the
latest plug-ins, PolicyCenter executable files and software image files
from the Packeteer support website, then copy and install images, plug-ins,
and portfolios of customer portal and action files to PacketShapers
assigned to a PolicyCenter configuration. This service uses HTTP (or optionally
HTTPS) to copy files from PolicyCenter to individual units. It replaces
the previous PolicyCenter image distribution service, which relied on
peer-to-peer FTP copies among units. The new file distribution service
supports images, plug-ins, action files and customer portal files, and
can be configured and managed through the PolicyCenter web-browser or
command-line interfaces.
Configure the File Distribution Server
Before you start distributing files to individual PacketShapers, you
must first configure the PolicyCenter file distribution server to retrieve
the required image and plug-in files. This step is not necessary to distribute
customer portal or action files. To configure the file distribution server:
- Access the PolicyCenter web-browser interface and select the setup
tab.
- Choose the configuration for your PolicyCenter software by clicking
that configuration name in the Editing Configuration drop-down
list.
Note: This configuration name is based upon the serial number
of your PolicyCenter software, and typically begins with the numbers
901. If this configuration has been renamed, you may identify
it by clicking the configurations tab, and locating the configuration
with the PolicyCenter software icon ( ).
- From the Choose Setup Page list, select file distribution
server.
- Choose how often PolicyCenter checks the Packeteer website for updates
by clicking Fetch Mode and selecting either the nightly
or manual option.
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If you select the nightly option, PolicyCenter will check the
Packeteer website for updated image and plug-in files each night, during
the early morning hours in the PolicyCenter server's time zone. If you
select the manual option, PolicyCenter will not check the Packeteer
support website for updated image and plug-in files until you click
the Fetch image and plug-ins from Packeteer button. This button
tells the PolicyCenter file distribution service to check for updated
files immediately, and can be used even when the server is scheduled
for nightly updates.
- Select a protocol for fetching files by clicking Transfer File
Using and selecting either HTTP (for a standard connection)
or HTTPS (for a secure connection).
- Click apply changes.
Fetch Available Files from Packeteer
If you scheduled nightly updates, the file distribution server will automatically
look for updated files during the night with no further input from you.
If you selected the manual option, you will have to manually fetch images
and plug-ins from the Packeteer support server using the following procedure.
- Access the PolicyCenter web-browser interface and select the setup
tab.
- Choose the configuration for your PolicyCenter software by clicking
that configuration name in the Editing Configuration drop-down
list.
Note: This configuration name is based upon the serial number
of your PolicyCenter software, and typically begins with the numbers
901. If this configuration has been renamed, you may identify
it by clicking the configurations tab, and locating the configuration
with the PolicyCenter software icon ( ).
- Click the Fetch image and plug-ins from Packeteer button. A
status window will open and display progress information about the various
actions that take place as the file distribution server contacts the
Packeteer support server and downloads files. Do not close this window
until the download process is complete.
Update the List of Available Files
The File Distribution Server page displays the name of all executable,
image, plug-in, customer-portal and action files in the PolicyCenter file
server library. Image and plug-in files that are corrupted or have invalid
file extensions will display a question mark (?) by the file name. Note
that this list does not automatically refresh when new files are added
to the file server library. To update the list of available files:
- Access the PolicyCenter web-browser interface and select the setup
tab.
- Choose the configuration for your PolicyCenter software by clicking
that configuration name in the Editing Configuration drop-down
list.
Note: This configuration name is based upon the serial number
of your PolicyCenter software, and typically begins with the numbers
901. If this configuration has been renamed, you may identify
it by clicking the configurations tab, and locating the configuration
with the PolicyCenter software icon ( ).
- From the Choose Setup Page list, select file distribution
server.
- To update the File Distribution Server page with the latest
executable, image, customer portal, Action or plug-in files, click the
update buttons beside each file type.
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Manually Add Files to the File Server Library
You may also manually add files to the file server library by uploading
the files directly into the appropriate folder on the PolicyCenter server.
- Access the PolicyCenter web-browser interface and select the setup
tab.
- Choose the configuration for your PolicyCenter software by clicking
that configuration name in the Editing Configuration drop-down
list.
Note: This configuration name is based upon the serial number
of your PolicyCenter software, and typically begins with the numbers
901. If this configuration has been renamed, you may identify
it by clicking the configurations tab, and locating the configuration
with the PolicyCenter software icon ( ).
- From the Setup Category list, select File Distribution
Server.
- There is a file browser button beside each category of files.
Click the file browser button beside the type of file you want
to add to open a popup window that points to the appropriate directory
on the PolicyCenter server. The file distribution directory for each
file type is shown in the table below.
| File Type |
Location |
| PolicyCenter executables |
<install_directory>\Packeteer\PolicyCenter\publish\exes |
| images |
<install_directory>\Packeteer\PolicyCenter\publish\images |
| plug-ins |
<install_directory>\Packeteer\PolicyCenter\publish\plugins |
| customer portal files |
<install_directory>\Packeteer\PolicyCenter\publish\portal |
| action files |
<install_directory>\Packeteer\PolicyCenter\publish\agent |
- If you are adding a customer portal or action file: Customer portal
files and action files cannot be distributed to units unless they are
first placed in a portfolio of files. The file browser window
for customer portal and action files will display all available portfolios for that file type. Select a portfolio
for the new file by clicking on one of the portfolio names.
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Note: If you have not yet created an action file or customer portal portfolio, see Distribute
Customer Portal Files or PolicyCenter
Action File Portfolios for details on creating portfolios.
- Next, select the file you want to distribute. Enter the path of the file in the Source file entry blank, or click the browse button and browse to the file you want to upload.
- Once you have selected your source file, click the upload button on the PolicyCenter file uploader window. The file will be uploaded to the appropriate
directory on the PolicyCenter server.
See also: Distribute
Image, Plug-in, Customer Portal and Action Files
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