File Collaboration Server

This Administrator's Guide describes information for administrators who need to manage the File Collaboration Server (FCS).

Important: The FTP protocol for store/location will no longer be supported starting in V6R2014.

This topic covers the following items:

This page discusses:

About File Collaboration Server

The FCS enables administrators to distribute file data across the enterprise for optimal upload and download performance. It provides location, checkout, and copy operations on the data managed by the 3DSpace Service.

The FCS brings the 3DSpace Service file storage functions closer to users on the same LAN segment or across the WAN. The FCS provides these advantages:

  • Serves multiple 3DSpace Services.
  • Does not require a database connection.
  • Does not require multiple copies of applications.
  • Does not require any configuration. You enable the FCS using system or MQL commands.
  • Provides support for both Single Sign On (SSO) and authentication.
Note: The FCS was briefly referred to as eFCS; however, this name is no longer used.

Installing FCS

FCS is installed together with 3DSpace Service and enabled by default. FCS can also be installed separately if you need to install a stand-alone FCS (without MCS), such as when installing FCS on a remote site or an FCS dedicated machine. For more information, see Installing File Collaboration Server.

Licences Required

A system license is required for each physical site that requires remote file storage. There is no limit to the number of users who can use the FCS at a given licensed site, however, all of these users must be licensed to use 3DSpace.

FCS Requirements

The prerequisites and requirements for the FCS are the same as those for the 3DSpace Service. This availability requires 3DSpace Service to be installed, including:

  • A third party Web or application server
  • The 3DSpace kernel
  • The mid-tier RMI 3DSpace Service

When captured files need to be accessed over the Internet, the 3DSpace Service may be installed on the same host or a host in the same LAN as those used for your file stores. When installed in this way, it acts as an FCS to provide better performance for file operations to remote sites. FCSes require an application server and JDK. Your stores and locations should reference the URL to their closest FCS server.

Before Reading this Guide

You should be familiar with 3DSpace.

You should read the 3DSpace Server Administration Guide for details on how 3DSpace works.

Getting the Most Out of this Guide

This File Collaboration Server Administration Guide is organized to help you quickly find the details you need. You will need to know about the following topics to use FCS: