Configuring TURNOVER for Direct FTP Distribution

Lesson Objectives

By the end of this lesson, you will be able to:

• Set up TURNOVER® for iSeries (now Lifecycle Manager) for direct FTP distributions to target IBM i servers, bypassing SNADS.
• Create system definitions for target servers, including FTP access and custom commands.
• Configure application distribution defaults, including adding targets, defining FTP overrides, and handling type codes.
• Test and troubleshoot FTP distributions, identifying common errors and job logs.
• Perform recovery after full or partial distributions using form logs and data areas.

This summary distills the 21-page supplement (v101, September 2018) into modules for administrators managing distributed changes. Direct FTP enables efficient object transfers over TCP/IP. As of October 24, 2025, no newer public version of Supplement #26 was found via searches on UNICOM or SoftLanding sites; the content aligns with features in TURNOVER® Lifecycle Manager Release 2.100 (2022), but verify with support for any protocol updates or deprecations.

Key Concepts

• Direct FTP Distribution: Uses *IFSFTP method for sending objects/files to remotes; requires TCP/IP and FTP server on targets.
• System Definitions: Define targets with host, user, password, and custom FTP commands (e.g., QUOTE SITE).
• App Defaults: Set distribution lists, type-specific FTP commands, and overrides for seamless transfers.
• Testing/Troubleshooting: Monitor jobs (e.g., Tform#FTP), check logs in SOFTTURND/TOFTPLOG.
• Recovery: Use form details to revert changes post-distribution.
• Prerequisites: TURNOVER® v5.4+; FTP server started (STRTCPSVR *FTP); configured remotes in app defs.

Module 1: Introduction and Creating System Definitions

Overview

• Direct FTP (*IFSFTP) for faster distributions in IP networks; supports objects, IFS files.
• Replaces *SNA/*FTP; requires setup on sender and target.

Creating Target System Definition

• Access Info Needed: Host name/IP, user ID/password (e.g., TURNOVER profile), remote libraries (SOFTTURN/D/E).
• Steps:
  1. TURNOVER 1 > Select App > Option 3 (Levels) > Select Prod Level > F10 (Remotes) > F6 (Add).
  2. Enter remote name, *IFSFTP method, host, user/password.
  3. Set remote libs if non-default.
• Defining FTP Commands: F10 (Overrides) > Option 8 (FTP Commands) > Add pre/post commands (e.g., QUOTE SITE NAMEFMT 1 for IFS).

Module 2: Configuring Application Distribution Defaults

Adding Target to Distribution List

• In app level: Option 3 (Levels) > Select Level > F10 (Remotes) > Add remote name.
• Set overrides: User/password, libs, iASP if applicable.

Defining App-Specific FTP Commands

• Per-app overrides: In remotes, F10 > Option 8 > Add commands for specific behaviors.

Defining Distributed Type Codes

• For custom objects: TURNOVER 1 > F22 > Utilities > Work with Type Codes > Add *IFSFTP method.
• Set create/promote commands tailored for FTP.

Type Code-Specific FTP Commands

• Per-type overrides: In type code defs, add FTP-specific pre/post commands (e.g., for files/data).

Module 3: Testing and Troubleshooting Direct FTP Distribution

How It Works

• Sender: Copies to temp save file/IFS, FTPs to target.
• Target: Receives, restores, runs form.
• Jobs: Tform#FTP (sender), TOFTPRCV (receiver).

Finding Job Info

• Logs: WRKOUTQ for spools; SOFTTURND/TOFTPLOG file.
• Data Areas: Tform#FTP (status), TOFTPERR (errors).

Common Errors

• Connection: Firewall, wrong host/user; check FTP logs (WRKOUTQ QSYSOPR).
• Lib Mismatch: Verify remote libs.
• Command Fail: Invalid QUOTE; test with manual FTP.

Module 4: Recovery After Distribution

After Successful Distribution

• Revert: Use form history to create recovery form; run on target.

After Partial Distribution

• Check logs: Identify failed items; clean temp files; rerun or manual restore.

Module 5: Reference Information

Files

• TOFTPLOG: FTP session logs.
• TOFORMxx: Form details.

Data Areas

• TOFTPERR: Error messages.
• Tform#FTP: Job status.

Summary

• Direct FTP streamlines distributions; configure carefully for reliability.

Assessment and Next Steps

• Quiz Ideas: Steps to add a remote for *IFSFTP? Common troubleshooting logs? Recovery after partial failure?
• Practice: Set up a test remote, configure FTP in an app, distribute a sample form.
• Further Learning: Administrator’s Guide (Release 2.100) for distributions; Supplements #8 (Alt Methods), #14 (Change Process). Contact UNICOM support (tech.support@unicomsi.com or +1-603-924-8818) for 2025 configs or modern alternatives like SFTP.