File Storage Area Editor


	File Storage Area Editor
	Last Edited - 12/27/2012 1:12pm PST
	Category Path - Shopping Cart Software Components > Administration Area > Modules > Digital Delivery

A File Storage Area is a directory that hosts digital object files. A File Storage Area can either be the store's default digital_objects directory or one located on a remote server. Once a File Storage Area has been correctly configured, the Scan & Add a Series of Download Files tool can be used to scan the directory and automatically create digital objects for the store.

The File Storage Area Editor page is used to create new File Storage Areas or edit existing ones.

tip

If the File Storage Area is located on a remote file server, you may want to consider adding the mm_fileserver.php helper file to reduce bandwidth usage. An overview of the mm_fileserver.php file can be found in this knowledge base article: http://kb.modularmerchant.com/using-the-mm-fileserver-php-helper-file-a614.php

To add a new file storage area:

Go to Modules > Digital Delivery > Add a File Storage Area.
Configure the File Storage Area.
Click Save Changes when finished.

To edit an existing file storage area:

Go to Modules > Digital Delivery > Search File Storage Area.
Click either the SID number or the icon associated with the file storage area.
Make the desired changes to the file storage area.
Click Save Changes when finished.

File Storage Area Editor Fields

SID (System ID)
The SID (System ID) is a unique number that identifies the File Storage Area to the system. This number is set by the software and cannot be changed.

Host Domain
This is the host domain for this file storage area. For example: www.mysite.com. The Host Domain can also be an IP address. The store will use the domain listed in this field to establish a server-to-server connection when scanning the File Storage Area for new files.

domain vs. url

Enter just the host's domain, not the host's entire URL.

For example, don't use:
http://www.mysite.com
or
mysite.com/my_directory/

Instead, do use:
mysite.com
or
subdomain.mysite.com

URL of the directory containing the Digital Files
The URL of the directory hosting the digital files.

example

For example, if I'm hosting files in a directory titled "downloads" on the domain "www.website.com", then I would enter the following into this field: http://www.website.com/downloads/

end paths in slashes

Since the File Storage Area URL is pointing to a directory on a server, it should always end in a slash, even if the URL points to just the domain name.

For example, don't use:
http://www.MyFileServer.com
or
http://www.MyFileServer.com/my_directory

Instead, do use:
http://www.MyFileServer.com/
or
http://www.MyFileServer.com/my_directory/

File Storage Area FTP login
Input the FTP username used to connect to the file storage area.

File Storage Area FTP password
Input the FTP password used to connect to the file storage area.

File Storage Area directory path (If any)
If the FTP account connects to the File Storage Area any directory other than the one containing the files that will be used to create Download Files, then enter the path to the appropriate directory. This field does not affect the URL used when the customer downloads the files. If this path is wrong, then the store will to scan the wrong directory when looking for new files on the File Storage Area.

example

Most Modular Merchant hosting accounts contain the website's files in a "httpdocs" directory on the server. The "index.html" page — and all other web pages and website subdirectories — are contained in this "httpdocs" directory.

Thus, the URL of a Digital Object on my website may be:
http://www.my-website.com/downloads/my_file.zip
But the directory path to it on the server may be:
/httpdocs/downloads/my_file.zip

In this example, when I connect to my website by FTP, I start out in the "httpdocs" directory. My actual Digital Objects are in a subdirectory named "downloads". Therefore, in the File Storage Area directory path field, I would enter:
/httpdocs/downloads/

Use "passive" FTP connection?
Select whether the server requires an active or passive FTP connection. (Passive is most commonly used.) Refer to this article for more information on active/passive FTP modes.

tip

Configuring the File Storage Area can be tricky. If any assistance is needed, Modular Merchant's tech support will be happy to lend a hand. Start a new support ticket at [Support > Start a Support Ticket] and provide as many details about the FTP connection as possible.