Schedule Transfer and Synchronization Using Task Scheduler

Scheduled TurboFTP tasks (including session and sync tasks) can be run as a generic NT service - which is done by the Sync Service module (tftpsvc.exe). Using the Sync Service to run pre-configured schedule tasks does not require a user to log onto the computer and prevents unauthorized users from interfering with or shutting down the schedule process. The Sync Service supports simultaneous multiple scheduled tasks and offers better performance. When not using the Sync Service module, the schedule tasks can still run but the GUI TurboFTP program must be running on the desktop, and only one task can run at a time.

The Task Scheduler runs two types of schedule task – a queue session task and a synchronization task -- either once or repeatedly. A queue session task simply loads a session (in form of .tbx file) into the transfer queue and then transfers those files at a specified time.

A synchronization task performs a synchronization between a local and a remote directory automatically, with a predefined synchronization scheme. This process is very similar to that of Folder Synchronizer - except that it is done without user intervention.

1. Synchronization Schedule Task

Create a Synchronization Schedule Task

Open Task Scheduler, click on the button Add and choose Sync Task. This will create a directory synchronization task. At this time if the program is not connected to any FTP server an dialog will pop out and allow you to select target FTP server from the sites stored in your Site Address Book. After that the Scheduler Task Settings dialog will show up for you to set up the sync task. Before creating a Sync Task, make sure target server profile is stored in Address Book and there is only one server profile with the server address and port in Address Book.

Modify Schedule Settings

Go to the General tab. You can change the remote folder or local folder for synchronization. For each schedule task you can specify the launch time, end time and task repetition option. The General tab contains all the options related to the Schedule Task Settings | General.

Modify Synchronization Settings

Switch to the Synchronization tab. You can select the synchronization direction and scheme. And set the options of after transferring and filters. The Synchronization tab contains all the options related to the Advanced FTP Site Settings: Schedule Task Settings | Synchronization.

On this tab there is a button for Include Filters and another for Exclude Filters. Files matching include filters will be included in the  synchronization process, while those matching exclude filters will be excluded. The options related to File Filtering For Synchronization.

Finally, you can  configure some advanced options for a Sync Task on this page. If you are sync'ing a local folder which is a network share, be sure to select appropriate preconfigured "Logon Account".

Run a Sync Task

After you create a sync task, the task will be added to TurboFTP Task Scheduler automatically. The task will run according to the Launch time in General tab. You also can click the button 'Run Now' to run the task immediately.

• You can enable the option 'Run as NT service' to start Sync Service module as a NT service. And then the Sync Service module  takes care of all the schedule tasks. Using the Sync Service to run pre-configured schedule tasks doesn't require a user to log onto the computer.

• If you want to disable all scheduler tasks, you can enable the checkbox 'Disable Scheduler'.

• You can click the button 'Task Log' to view the task log. TurboLogViewer is used for reviewing Sync Service log.

• Task list in the Task Scheduler dialog:

           Task: Description of the task. If you don't enter anything in the Description field in General tab, it will be the server address combined with target remote folder.

           ID: Each task has a unique ID number.

           Next Run Time: The time the task will run next.

           Last Run Time: The time the task last ran.

           Dependency: The ID of task it depends on. A task by default has no dependency on any other unless you specify one. A task with a dependency task ID will run when the task it depends on terminates.

It is important to verify your synchronization options and even test with dummy source or destination files to ensure it really works. Beware that if files are deleted during the process, no confirmation is given!

If you must confirm every change before it can be transferred, use the Folder Synchronizer ([Tools | Synchronize folders] manually instead.

2. Session Schedule Task

Create a Session File

Create a session file containing all the files you want to download or send. Suppose you save your session as c:\Download\archive.tbx. You must logon to the FTP server to create a session file by dragging and dropping files into the queue window (window at the bottom) and then save it. Be sure to store the FTP site's profile in the FTP Site Address Book so that TurboFTP can obtain the correct user name and password when it needs to logon.

Create and Run a Session Schedule Task

Open Task Scheduler, click on the button Add and choose Session Task. You will then be asked to pick the .tbx file to use. After that, the Schedule Task Settings dialog will appear. Specify your preferred launch time and task repetition options. When finished, click OK to save the task. A session file stores the contents of the transfer queue and contains a list of files to transfer. Note that a queue entry can use a wildcard mask, functioning like the mget and mput command in DOS FTP.

Related articles:
Get Started with TurboFTP
FTP/SFTP Auto Upload
Web site Update and Management with TurboFTP
Auto Reconnect and Stall Protection
TurboFTP Advanced Features