How to send data logger files from a controller to an FTP server

Procedure how to configure a controller to send data files directly to an FTP server

Please follow our firewall & network settings guide to properly configure your firewall with the use of the Q.series data acquisition software. In addition to that configuration, you may need to add a firewall exception for your FTP server. 

The most common protocols used in file transfer today are FTP, FTPS, and SFTP. The Q.series controllers support FTP and SFTP. FTPS is not supported.

Controller Configuration

  1. Download and install the latest version of GI.bench (or test.commander) from our website.
  2. Open the controller in a GI.bench (or test.commander) project


  3. Double-click the controller to bring up the controller settings.
    1. GI.bench
      1. Navigate to the FTP clients section
      2. Change the connection count to 1 and press Enter
      3. Change the connection settings

        1. Address: The static IP address of the FTP server
        2. Port: The listening port of the FTP server (e.g. 21)
        3. Username: The username setup in the FTP server
        4. Password: The password for the user account
        5. Type: unknown (other options: Unix, MS-DOS, SFTP)
        6. Directory: Enter the directory within the server or leave blank
      4. Click OK to save the settings
      5. Back in the project window, right-click Data Logging > Add > Add Logger (or double-click the existing logger)
      6. Configure the logger: select variables to save, logger type, the main storage destination
      7. In the Send FTP section: Check the enabled box and select the corresponding FTP connection
      8. Click OK and write updates to the controller
      9. Start the logger (e.g. continuous, trigger condition, event condition)
      10. The data files can be found in the folder specified in the FTP client settings
    2. test.commander
      1. Navigate to Host Interface > FTP > Client settings

      2. Set the Configuration mode to manually. Expand this section.
      3. Change the FTP connection count from 0 to 1. Change the connection settings:
        1. Server address: The static IP of the FTP server

        2. Username: The username setup in the FTP server

        3. Password: The password for the user account

        4. Port: The listening port of the FTP server (e.g. 21)

        5. Use passive mode: No

        6. Type: unknown

        7. Directory: Leave blank

      1. Click OK to save the settings.
      2. Back in the project window, highlight the controller and select Logger configuration
      3. Configure the logger: select the channels to save, assign triggers, and the main destination to save the data.
        1. To send data to an FTP server, place a checkmark next to Send data additionally to FTP-server and select the pre-configured FTP server. Click OK to save the settings.
      4. Write the updates to the controller: File > Write Project (Update)
      5. Start the logger (i.e. trigger level, event condition, continuous)
      6. The data files can be found in the folder specified in the FTP server settings
      7. These .dat files can be viewed using test.viewer and converted into other formats such as CSV.

How to setup an FTP server on a PC

In this example of how to set up an FTP server, the FileZilla Server for Windows is used.

  1. Download and install the FileZilla Server for Windows.
  2. Add FileZilla as an exception to Windows Firewall or turn the Firewall off
    1. Open Control Panel
    2. Navigate to System and Security > Windows Firewall
    3. On the left-hand menu, select Allow a program or feature through Windows Firewall
    4. From the list, select FileZilla Server and FileZilla Server Interface or select
      Allow another program if the programs aren’t already listed.
      1. If not on the list select Allow another program
      2. In the next window scroll and find the 2 programs
      3. If not listed there select Browse and navigate to the installation directory: C:\Program Files\FileZilla Server
      1. Select one program and click Open, repeat for the second program
      2. Select one program and click Add, repeat for the second program
      3. For each program click the check the boxes then click OK.
  1. Run the FTP Server. Use the default settings and click OK. It will prompt you to create an admin password.
    1. Server Address: 127.0.0.1
    2. Port: 14148
  2. Go to Server > Configure
    1. In the server settings window, navigate to the Administration section. The listening port and password previously defined will be shown
    2. Navigate to the Groups section. Add a new group. Define the virtual and native paths.
      2
  3. Navigate to the Users section
    1. Click Add to create a new user and give them a name
    2. Make sure the box for User is enabled is checked. Change the credentials option to require a password. Enter the desired password.
    3. Enter virtual and native paths. Make sure the access mode is set to Read + Write
    4. Click OK to save settings.