[P5] ``File Relay''

• Project initially developed for use between user workstations and IBM mainframe
• can be extended to other ``remote hosts'' in place of mainframe
• uses Samba to provide access to Windows-based PC's
• uses NetaTalk to provide access to Macintosh-based PC's
• acess by ``Unix'' workstations also possible, though not included in this project
• maintains two log files: one system, one user
• uses Expect and Cron to automate job submission process
• main purposes for project:
  • alleviate user interaction and connection with ``foreign host''
  • provide native/local access to service through ``network attached'' folders
  • provide automated job submission process, relieving users from tasks to perform the same function
  • abstract ``foreign host'' processes for job submission and data retrieval, simplifying tasks for users
  • reduce time users spent in performing similar tasks on their own
  • provide possibility of E-mail notification for job submission problems

• LDAP used to store information about each user of service
• LDAP used to store security information required for service to access ``foreign host'' on behalf of user
• LDAP used to store e-mail address for possible job submission problem notifications
• LDAP Access Control Lists used to protect security related attributes
• users set their own ``foreign host'' security information through Web-based interface
• user definitions for folders on server are independent of user workstation and ``foreign host''

• ``foreign host'' job submission and output retrieval based upon FTP; other network connectivity may be possible
• user creates ``foreign host'' job file on their workstation
• user copies job file to server ``job submission network folder''
• automated server function ``submits'' user job file to ``foreign host''
• user job files that include FTP commands to server, copies file to server ``output folder''
• user copies data output from ``network data output folder'' to other local workstation folder