Understanding common methods of transferring files into AIX or Windows from other systems

You can use various methods to transfer files from other systems into AIX or Windows. Each method results in a different set of possible outputs. Some methods produce output that cannot be used by ACIF. These methods are commonly used to transfer files from other systems to AIX or Windows and produce output that ACIF can use:

  • Physical media (such as tape)
  • PC file transfer program
  • File Transfer Program (FTP)
  • Download for z/OS

Other considerations for transferring files are also listed in this section topic.

In this section:

  1. Physical media
    Normally, you can copy fixed-length files without any transformation by using a physical media, such as tape. For variable-length files, however, either the creator of the tape or the copy program must include a 2-byte binary length as a prefix to each record.
  2. PC file transfer program
  3. FTP
    From most systems, FTP works similarly to PC file transfer; most of the same options are provided. Also, when FTP is processed on an AIX or Windows system, you can omit the extraneous carriage return. However, you must test and check your implementation; some FTPs use IMAGE as a synonym for BINARY.
  4. Download for z/OS
    The Download for z/OS feature of PSF for z/OS automatically transmits data from the JES spool to another system in the Internet Protocol network. A print server, such as InfoPrint Manager or RICOH ProcessDirector, receives the files for printing. Download for z/OS can supply the 2-byte record length prefix for each file that is downloaded from the JES spool.
  5. Other considerations
Parent topic: Helpful hints for using ACIF