|
||
Automated text file imports and exports in the cloud are managed through the use of a SFTP server (sftp.aaiscloud.com). Institutions will upload their import files, and download their export files, by connecting to this server. Any connecting IP addresses will need to be explicitly white-listed by Ad Astra Technical Support. When setting up the connection, a user name and password will be sent to the institution through a secure mechanism. An SSH key may also be used for the authentication if provided.
Import and Export folders will be made accessible to the institution. Files to be imported into Astra Schedule are placed in the Import folder by the institution to be picked up by scheduled import jobs. Files exported from Astra Schedule are written to the Export folder for retrieval by the institution.
To set up automation in the cloud, Ad Astra Technical Support will work with you to validate the file and map, and to run a manual import to create the required folder structure.
Supported automated text file interface options in the cloud environment include:
Batch import files should include every section in all active terms. The files can be multiple megabytes and include thousands of sections.
Scheduled batch imports are supported up to four times per day. The schedule can be determined by the institution, in coordination with Ad Astra support staff (to establish the file transfer from the SFTP server to the application server).
NOTE: Manual batch imports can be run at any time by the institution and do not require access to the SFTP server or any configuration via the Ad Astra staff.
It is highly recommended that a batch import is executed at least once daily.
These differential imports allow for a pseudo real time import. The text file can be created with only the changes from the last x minutes. These files should be small and only include a very small subset of section data.
Scheduled realtime imports can be executed as often as every 15 minutes during active business hours. The schedule can be determined by the institution, in coordination with Ad Astra support staff (to establish the file transfer from the SFTP server to the application server).
Batch exports from Astra Schedule will include every section in the term(s) selected in the export job. There are options on these exports to include information down to the Instance level.
Scheduled batch exports are supported up to four times per day. The schedule can be determined by the institution, in coordination with Ad Astra support staff (to establish the file transfer from the application server to the SFTP server).
The export file can be output in multiple formats: delimited text (default tab), XML, or Excel.