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    Configuring Ex Libris Secure FTP Service

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    Ex Libris provides out-of-the-box FTP servers using Ex Libris Secure FTP service for file transfer between Alma and external systems. This is an alternative to using institution's own FTP solutions, the option that remains available (see Configuring S/FTP Connections).

    The Ex Libris Secure FTP server provides a separate directory for each customer. This folder contains two sub-directories: Production and Sandbox. You have a Read/Write access to these directories. See more regarding this feature in the video Using the Ex Libris Secure FTP Service.

    Limitations to the Ex Libris FTP server directories:

    • Max 4GB for the directory
    • Data retention period - 30 days

    The ability to use the Ex Libris FTP server is enabled by default. You can select to use the connection to the Ex Libris Secure FTP Service from the List of S/FTP Connections page (Configuration Menu > General > External Systems > S/FTP Definitions).

    The Ex Libris Secure FTP Server is always located in the same region as the Alma institution: for EU customers, it will be in the EU, for CA customers -- in CA, etc.

    For some customers, the Sandbox environment uses a different server from the Production environment. Both servers can be accessed with the same private key, regardless of where it was generated.
    To select the Ex Libris FTP server connection:
    1. The Ex Libris Secure FTP Service section appears on the List of S/FTP Connections page (Configuration Menu > General > External Systems > S/FTP Definitions). You do not need to configure any information here, because the server/port and the user are already provided. 
      Ex Libris secure FTP.png

    2. To get the private key with which to log into the Ex Libris Secure FTP Service, select Regenerate private key
      Alma downloads a file with the RSA private key. Use the key to log in to the Ex Libris Secure FTP Service (using FileZilla or another FTP client of your choice).  For more information about the Ex Libris Secure FTP Service, click here.

      Once you received the RSA private key and connected to the Ex Libris Secure FTP Service, save the key file in a secured location. Make sure to not select Regenerate private key again. Regeneration of a new key will reset the connection to the Ex Libris FTP Service.
    3. Optionally, click Optional Parameters to configure PGP public-key encryption for files created by Alma. 

    Examples for Working with the Ex Libris Secure FTP Service

    Once the connection to Ex Libris Secure FTP Service was established, you can select the Ex Libris Secure FTP in all locations in Alma where a connection to FTP server needs to be established.

    For example:

    • You can select it on the Integration Profiles page. It appears as the first option in the "S/FTP Connection Type" dropdown:

    integration profile with ExL secure FTP.png

    • You can select it in Import Profile Details page and EDI Vendor page. (On these pages, select the FTP connection via a radio button and not a dropdown.)

    Import Profile Details with ExL secure FTP.png

    In both cases, when you selected the Ex Libris Secure FTP Service option, the other fields related to FTP definition become disabled. 

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