File distribution (office scenario)

File distribution allows you to bulk distribute files to cloud desktops. If the user is online on a cloud host that is operating correctly, the cloud host receives files after a file distribution task is created. If the user is offline on a cloud host that is operating correctly or a cloud host is shut down, the cloud host receives the files after the user comes online and the operating system is loaded. The recipient cloud desktops automatically create directories to save the received files.

Application scenarios

Use this function to send designated files to multiple online desktops in bulk.

Configuration workflow

Upload a file: Upload the files and folders to be distributed to users to Space Console. The files and folders include the local files and folders that already exist and those obtained through collection.
Configure file distribution parameters: Configure the file distribution parameters, including the maximum number of concurrent distribution tasks and per-cloud host file download rate limit.
Distribute files to desktop pools or desktops: Distribute files to online desktops. The recipient desktops automatically create directories to save the received files.
Manage files and file distribution task: Delete files and folders; view distribution task information, clear and query distribution task records.

Restrictions and guidelines

File distribution is not available for IDV, and VOI/ TCI desktops connected to the network through gateways.
A drive space of 30 GB is allocated to store files in Space Console for file distribution. The setting cannot be edited.
Uploading the shortcut to a file or folder is equivalent to uploading the file or folder itself.
A maximum of 500 files can be uploaded at a time. You can compress multiple files into one file and upload the compressed file to Space Console.

Collect files

You can collect only configuration files of Windows desktops can be collected.
You can collect only one file that is not larger than 1 MB at a time, and cannot collect an empty file or file folder.
The collection of a file requires the permission of the operating system or app.

From the left navigation pane, select Applications > File Distribution > File Management.
Click Collect Files.
Enter the path and the complete name of the file to be collected, for example, C:\Temp\test.txt, select a desk pool and a desktop, and then click Collect.
The collected file will be saved to the default download path, and you can edit the collected file and distribute it.

Upload a file

Procedure

From the left navigation pane, select Applications > File Distribution > File Management.
Click Upload. The dialog box for uploading files opens.
To upload a single file, click File. Click Upload. In the dialog box that opens, select the target file and click Open, and then click OK. To upload a folder, click Folder. Click Upload. In the dialog box that opens, select the target folder and click Open, and then click OK.
The file list displays all uploaded files and folders.

Parameters

Type: The value can be File or Folder.
File Size: Size of the file or folder. The size of the file or folder that can be uploaded is not limited.
Uploaded At: Time when the file or folder was uploaded.

Configure file distribution parameters

From the left navigation pane, select Application > File Distribution > File Management.
Click Configure.
Configure the following parameters as needed:
- Concurrent Tasks: Specify the maximum number of concurrent file distribution tasks. Value 0 means no limit.
- Download Rate Limit: Specify the maximum file download rate per cloud host.
Click OK

Distribute files to desktop pools or desktops

Perform this task to distributed files to designated desktop pools or desktops.

Restrictions and guidelines

File distribution can distribute files only to a desktop that is in normal state and has an online user.

Procedure

From the left navigation pane, select Applications > File Distribution > File Management.
Select the files and folders to distribute and click File Distribution.
In the dialog box that opens, select Desktop Pools or Desktops for Distribution Mode.

Select the desktop pools or desktops to which you want to distribute the selected files and folders, set the task timeout period, select the distribution path.

By default, the distribution path is the user desktop.

Within the task timeout period, cloud desktops that are operating correctly receive the task if their users are online. After the task expires, Space Console will not distribute files to the cloud desktops that have not received the task within the timeout period.

Click OK.

Manage files and file distribution tasks

You can perform the following tasks:

Delete files and folders on the File Management page.
View file distribution task information on the Distribution Tasks page.
Clear and query distribution tasks on the Distribution Records page.

Delete files and folders

From the left navigation pane, select Applications > File Distribution > File Management.
Perform either of the following tasks:
- To delete multiple files and folders, select the target files and folders, and then click Delete above the file list.
- To delete a single file or folder, click Delete in the Actions column for the file or folder.
In the dialog box that opens, click OK.

View distribution tasks

From the left navigation pane, select Applications > File Distribution > Distribution Tasks.
View information for individual distribution tasks, including:
- VM Name: Name of the recipient VM.
- Files: Names of the distributed files.
- Task Started At: Time when the distribution task started.
- Task Ended At: Time when the distribution task ended.
- Task State: State of the task.
For a task in distribution, you can cancel it by clicking Cancel Task in the Actions column for the task.
For a task that failed to be distributed, click Retry in the Actions column for the task to distribute files again.

Clear distribution records

Perform this task to delete records of distribution tasks ended on and before the specified date.

From the left navigation pane, select Applications > File Distribution > Distribution Records.
Click Clear.
In the dialog box that opens, specify a date to delete records for tasks ended on and before that date.
Click OK.

Configure scheduled distribution record cleanup settings

Perform this task to configure scheduled distribution record cleanup settings, including the maximum retention period per record and the action (delete or export) to take on expired records. Depending on the action specified, the system will delete or export expired distribution records at 04:30 am every day.

From the left navigation pane, select Applications > File Distribution > Distribution Records.
Click Clear on Schedule.
In the dialog box that opens, configure the following parameters:
- Actions: Select Not Process not to process expired distribution records, select Delete to delete expired distribution records, or select Export to File to export expired distribution records to a file. The exported records will be saved to a file in the /usrexport directory on the management node and then removed from the distribution record list.
- Retention Period: Maximum number of days a distribution record can be kept before being deleted or exported. The minimum retention period is 1 day.
Click OK.

Query distribution records

From the left navigation pane, select Applications > File Distribution > Distribution Records.
Click Advanced Query.
Configure the following query parameters as needed:
- Files: Enter the names of the distributed files.
- Task Started At: Specify the time when the distribution task started.
- Task Ended At: Specify the time when the distribution task ended.
- State: Select a task state. Options are Distribution Succeeded, Distributed Failed, and Unknown.
Click OK.
The distribution record list displays all records matching the specified query criteria.