REXDESK: upload logs to an FTP server

Add your FTP or FTPS server to REXDESK and enable FTP upload in a configuration. A REXGEN Air or REXGEN Pro then sends its logs to your own server over the mobile network.

This guide covers the REXDESK side. To set up a FileZilla FTPS server and its users, see REXGEN Air: uploading logs to an FTPS server.

Before you start

• The server name or IP address and port, with a user name and password for the logger.
• A mobile setting with the SIM's APN in Cloud Settings. See REXDESK: upload logs to AWS S3, MinIO or Google Cloud Storage.
• FTP upload and S3 upload cannot be enabled together in one configuration.

Each logger creates its own folder on the server, named after its serial number. The logger writes its logs and a status file there.

Add an FTP server

1. Open the FTP tab. Select Tools > Cloud Settings, then the FTP Settings tab, then New FTP.
2. Choose how to address the server. Select Use Server Name to enter a host name, or Use IP Address to enter an IP address.
3. Name the setting. Enter a Label. You select the server by this name when you enable upload.
4. Add the server address. Enter the Server Name or Server IP and the Port. The default port is 21.
5. Choose the protocol and mode. In Protocol, select FTP or FTPS. In Mode, select Passive (recommended) or Active.
6. Enter the log-in details. Fill in User and Pass, then select OK.

The new server appears in the list. Use Edit FTP to change it and Delete FTP to remove it.

FTP settings reference

Use Server Name

Address the server by its host name.

Use IP Address

Address the server by its IP address.

Label

A name for this server setting.

Port

The server's FTP port. The default is 21.

Protocol

FTP or FTPS.

Mode

Passive (recommended) or Active.

User and Pass

The FTP account the logger logs in with.

Enable FTP upload

1. Prepare the configuration. Build the logging configuration you want the logger to run.
2. Open the upload settings. In Device Configuration, select Upload.
3. Enable upload. Tick Store data to FTP.
4. Choose the settings. Select the Mobile setting and the FTP server in the lists. If you have only one of each, REXDESK fills them in. The button beside each list opens Cloud Settings.
5. Set the intervals and options. See the list below.
6. Send the configuration. Select Run. When REXDESK asks, select Save project to name the project, or Continue as "New Project". When the configuration is written, select OK.
7. Format the internal storage. Open Internal Storage and select Format SD, then unplug the USB cable. The logger connects to the server only when the USB cable is unplugged.

Check Config Time (sec)

How often the logger checks the server for a new configuration. See REXDESK: send a new configuration over the air.

Send Status Time (sec)

How often the logger updates its status on the server.

Check Firmware Time (sec)

How often the logger checks the server for new firmware.

Automatic Firmware Update

The logger installs new firmware it finds on the server. Firmware delivered over FTP needs a SHA-256 file for validation.

Upload All Files Before Sleep

The logger uploads every waiting file to the server before it goes to sleep.

Watch: Set up FTP settings for REXGEN (1:42)

If no files arrive

Check the APN in the mobile setting and the server details in the FTP setting first. To see each step of the mobile connection, run the LTE debug tool. See REXGEN: check the LTE connection with the debug tool.

Next: REXDESK: send a new configuration over the air.