FTP (File Transfer Protocol) Server Service (Updated October, 2006)

This document outlines the service, use and operational procedures for the FTP server provided by the Province of British Columbia, Ministry of Forests and Range (MoFR), Information Management Group (IMG).

• DESCRIPTION of SERVICE and PURPOSE
• APPROPRIATE USE of this SERVICE
• USER LOGON / ACCESS
• DIRECTORY STRUCTURE and DESCRIPTION
• TEST FTP SERVER
• MOF STAFF ADMINISTRATION
• SERVICE LEVELS

An FTP server found at http://www.for.gov.bc.ca/ftp/ has been installed to enable Ministry of Forests and Range staff to exchange information with other MoFR offices, the forest industry, contractors, government agencies and other non-MoFR users. This server is virus scanned, backed up and under the operational responsibility of the IMG.

The external directories are provided as a mechanism for electronic exchange of documents, reports, notes and other appropriate public accessible information between the Ministry of Forests and Range and the forest industry, contractors and other non-MoFR users.

The gov_internal directories are provided as a mechanism for electronic exchange of documents, reports, notes and other appropriate forestry related information within the Government of British Columbia.

The mof_internal directories are provided as a mechanism for electronic exchange of documents, reports, notes and other appropriate forestry related information within the Ministry of Forests and Range.

Security

Care should be taken in using this service that acquisition or transmission of computer viruses does not occur, and that documents that are confidential or not public domain are not placed on the server.

All files are scanned for viruses as they are being written to the server. The scan automatically removes infected files.

File Size

Care should be taken to the size and amount of files being transferred. Geographic location and connection type/line speed will effect the rate of transfer. Large file transfers can degrade data network performance slowing other Ministry business traffic. If possible, use an FTP Client to schedule large transfers outside normal business hours.

USER LOGON / ACCESS

Downloading Files (copying files from the FTP server)

Files can easily be downloaded using a web browser and going to the following URL.

http://www.for.gov.bc.ca/ftp/

Directory browsing is enabled so you can click through the directory structure and gain access to the directories you have permission to view. (See DIRECTORY STRUCTURE and DESCRIPTION below for detailed information on permissions.)

For the non-Ministry of Forests and Range user, an FTP Client will be required. This is a utility that needs to be installed on your computer. Many can be found and downloaded from the internet including free versions. Follow the instructions of your FTP Client and logon with the following. Note that IE5/6 has a built-in FTP client. See below for info.

For Ministry of Forests and Range staff, a connection can be made using Windows Explorer. A network drive can be mapped using \\MITTEN.DMZ\FTP. If you are unsure how to do this contact your local systems staff.

NOTE to staff relocating files on the FTP server: Ensure you COPY files to a new location to ensure the file obtains the new directories security permissions. If you only MOVE the file it will retain the old directories security permission and your intended audience may not be able to access the file.

If you prefer to use FTP Client (perhaps for bandwidth issues) you will use your IDIR account. Logon with

Since network monitoring can trap passwords, DO NOT logon to this service with your password from outside the BC Government telecommunication facilities. i.e. SpanDial, UDial or your Ministry office

DO NOT logon using a private sector Internet service provider, universities or free-nets.

If you do wish to connect via an Internet service provider, such as Shaw cable modem or Telus ASDL, from your home or non-ministry office, you need to install a Virtual Private Network (VPN) service. For staff, information about VPN is available from the ministry Intranet site; search for the keyword VPN.

Using IE5/6 Built-in FTP Client
Use the url as above (ftp://ftp.for.gov.bc.ca) to anonymously download or upload files. Download works the same as browsing. For upload, drag a file from your desktop to the open browser window. Or use copy/paste from Windows Explorer to IE. For authenticated access, when you click on a directory and get a "do not have permissions" message, just right-click on that page and select "Login as...". Login as shown above.

!Project

Files pertaining to cross-ministry projects and possibly requiring some external access. The general public and ministry staff have no inherent access to these subdirectories; members of a project group are specifically provided access to easily share files amongst the group.

!Transfer

Area to accommodate the ad hoc transfer of files between MoFR staff. Note that all files over 7 days old are deleted on a daily basis. The general public has no access.

3 letter directory for each office (also called an OrgUnit code)

Each ministry office has a directory. To keep the directory names short, the name of the directory is based upon the office's three (3) character OrgUnit code. While this is perhaps a tad cryptic, it does keep the length down, which is something people have commented about in the past when we had long names that used the actual office name.

The structure of the OrgUnit code has a bit of logic:

• H - a headquarters branch office starts with an H
• R - a regional office starts with an R
• D - a district office starts with a D
• T - a timber sales office starts with a T

List of Offices

For a list of all the Orgunit codes and their respective office names, please refer to the document contained in the http://www.for.gov.bc.ca/ftp/!HowToUseFTP/ directory, namely, FTP_Directory_Key__Index_of_Office_Org_Units.txt.

Each Office directory contains three subdirectories

_
	| _ external
	| _ gov_internal
	| _ mof_internal

external

Used for the transfer/sharing of files between MoFR staff and the forest industry, contractors and other non-MoFR users.

gov_internal

Used for the transfer/sharing of files between MoFR staff and other Government of British Columbia staff.

mof_internal

Used for the transfer/sharing of files between MoFR staff.

Each external, gov_internal and mof_internal directory contain three subdirectories

_
	| _ !publish
	| _ incoming
	| _ outgoing

\ external \ !publish

Files are published here by select local MoFR staff intended for the forest industry, contractors and other non-MoFR users. Files placed here remain indefinitely, as such, only select local MoFR staff have write access.

\ external \ incoming

Files are placed here by the forest industry, contractors and other non-MoFR users intended for local MoFR staff. Files are automatically deleted after 7 days.

\ external \ outgoing

Files are placed here by local MoFR staff intended for the forest industry, contractors and other non-MoFR users. Files are automatically deleted after 7 days.

\ gov_internal \ !publish

Files are published here by select local MoFR staff intended for other Government of British Columbia staff. Files placed here remain indefinitely, as such, only select local MoFR staff have write access.

\ gov_internal \ incoming

Files are placed here by other Government of British Columbia staff intended for local MoFR staff. Files are automatically deleted after 7 days.

\ gov_internal \ outgoing

Files are placed here by local MoFR staff intended for other Government of British Columbia staff. Files are automatically deleted after 7 days.

\ mof_internal \ !publish

Files are published here by select local MoFR staff intended for other MoFR staff. Files placed here remain indefinitely, as such, only select local MoFR staff have write access.

\ mof _internal \ incoming

Files are placed here by other MoFR staff intended for local MoFR staff. Files are automatically deleted after 7 days.

\ mof _internal \ outgoing

Files are placed here by local MoFR staff intended for other MoFR staff. Files are automatically deleted after 7 days.

A test FTP service is available which can be used when required. The ftp server names are much like the production FTP server:

• testftp.for.gov.bc.ca (test ftp server name when using an FTP client)
• http://testwww.for.gov.bc.ca/ftp (from the browser)
• \\SEASON.DMZ\FTP.TST (from Windows Explorer).

MOF STAFF ADMINISTRATION

MoFR offices that make use of this server are responsible for the administration and maintenance of their directories. This should include ensuring that files and sub-directories are deleted in a timely manner and that files are consistent with Ministry business. Files received must be erased once they are accessed. Files put up for access by others should be removed after the others have received or copied them. Each area must keep their respective directories clean and organized. There is an automated process that runs daily to clear out 7 day old files from the !Transfer, incoming and outgoing directories.

Directories created under the !Publish folders should contain a ReadMe.txt file that contains the following information:

FTP Directory Owner: John Doe
FTP Content Owner: Jane doe
Retention Date: 2007-06-01
Description: This directory contains ...