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 Import/Export (DTS) and Replication (2000)
 Reliability of FTP in DTS???

Author  Topic 

jones_d
Yak Posting Veteran

61 Posts

Posted - 2004-10-19 : 11:22:11
Hi,

I am investigating whether to use a DTS package to FTP files from a remote server. The first thing I noticed is that it is quite slow. I then started to search the web to see if there is anything I could do to speed it up. I didn't come across anything but I did find this site - http://vyaskn.tripod.com/sql_server_dts_best_practices.htm - which raised another issue.

Apparently FTP is not reliable at all. According to this article it may transfer the file but the contents could be incomplete.

Has anyone come across any reliability problems with FTP in DTS in SQL Server 2000?

nr
SQLTeam MVY

12543 Posts

Posted - 2004-10-19 : 12:32:59
Yes.
I never use dts for FTP but use the ftp.exe from t-sql as in
http://www.nigelrivett.net/s_ftp_PutFile.html

Also has the advantage that you can test the ftp solution by using ftp.exe.
Noticed today the the replace commands in the script should also replace ^ by ^^ in case it is in the user name or password.

==========================================
Cursors are useful if you don't know sql.
DTS can be used in a similar way.
Beer is not cold and it isn't fizzy.
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Merkin
Funky Drop Bear Fearing SQL Dude!

4970 Posts

Posted - 2004-10-20 : 00:02:38
FTP isn't 100% reliable in itself, regardless of DTS.
For starters, it's an internet protocol, and the internet isn't 100% reliable. I've also seen some ftp servers drop connections, and lock files mid transfer.

So you should also verify that the file made it, and manage timeouts no matter what your FTP client is.


Damian
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Kristen
Test

22859 Posts

Posted - 2004-10-20 : 01:19:39
One option might be to FTP the file up under a different name, and then rename it once the FTP is completed - that way the "real" file isn't there until the FTP is "good".

of course that assumes that you can trap errors in the FTP upload, otherwise you'll just be renaming the partial file anyway!

Kristen
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