REXGEN Air: uploading logs to an FTPS server

Send REXGEN Air logs to a file server you run: set up FileZilla Server for FTPS, add the FTP settings in REXDESK and enable upload.

FTPS upload is the alternative to Amazon S3. See REXGEN Air: uploading logs to Amazon S3. Before you start, the logger needs a SIM, an LTE antenna and mobile settings. See REXGEN Air: choosing and setting up cloud upload.

What FTPS protects

REXGEN Air uses FTPS (FTP over TLS) to protect the log-in, so your user name and password travel encrypted. It does not support data channel encryption (PROT P), so the log files travel unencrypted between the logger and the server.

• Use FTPS where the files do not need to be encrypted in transit, or where the network path is already protected.
• Where the files must be encrypted in transit, upload to Amazon S3 with an SSL connection instead.
• Never use plain FTP, because it sends the password unencrypted too.

Set up FileZilla Server

1. Install FileZilla Server. Download it from the official site, filezilla-project.org, and install it with the default settings. Do not use third-party download mirrors.
2. Open the server settings. Log in to the administration interface first.
3. Choose the control port. Under the general settings, enter a port other than 21, for example 54345. Adding a welcome message is optional.
4. Set up passive mode. Enter a port range that starts at your control port, for example 54345 to 54350, and the server's external IP address. On an Azure virtual machine or an Amazon EC2 instance, use its static IP address. On a local server, use the static IP address of that server.
5. Open the ports. Allow the control port and the passive range in Windows Firewall. For a cloud machine, also allow them in the firewall settings of the Azure or AWS portal.
6. Enable FTPS. In the FTP over TLS settings, enable FTPS, disallow plain FTP and generate a new certificate. Leave the other settings at their defaults and select OK.

Add a user and a folder

1. Add a user. Open user management and add a new user.
2. Set a password. Enable the password option and enter a strong password.
3. Add a folder. With the user selected, add the folder where the server saves the logs.
4. Grant the permissions. Give the user at least list, read and write permission on the folder.

The server is ready for the logger.

Add the FTP settings in REXDESK

1. Open the FTP settings. Select Tools > Cloud Settings, then select the FTP Settings tab.
2. Create a new FTP setting. Fill in the fields described in the list after these steps.
3. Save the setting. Select OK.

Label

A name for this server setting. You select it by name when you set up the upload.

Use Server Name or Use IP Address

Whether the logger reaches the server by its name or by its IP address. Enter the one you choose.

Port

The server's control port. The default is 21. Enter the port you set on the server, for example 54345.

Protocol

FTP or FTPS. Select FTPS.

Mode

Active or Passive. Use Passive, which matches the server setup in this guide.

User and Pass

The user name and password you created on the server.

For the full field reference, see REXDESK: upload logs to an FTP server.

Enable FTP upload in the configuration

1. Prepare the configuration. Set up the channels you want to record.
2. Open the upload settings. In the Device Configuration window, select the Upload tab.
3. Enable FTP upload. Tick Store data to FTP using mobile internet.
4. Select the settings by name. Select the mobile setting under Mobile and the server setting under FTP.
5. Set the intervals. Check Config Time (min) sets how often the logger looks for a new configuration on the server. Send Status Time (min) sets how often it updates its status.
6. Choose the firmware options. Check Firmware Update makes the logger look for new firmware on the server at the interval you set. Automatic Firmware Update installs it.
7. Send the configuration. Select Run and save the project. When the configuration has uploaded, select OK.
8. Format the internal storage. Do this after you send a configuration with FTP upload enabled.
9. Disconnect the USB cable. The logger connects to the server and uploads files only when USB is disconnected.

To send a new configuration through the server later, see REXDESK: send a new configuration over the air.

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

Check the upload

Status LED 4 blinks fast while the logger tries to connect and slowly once it is connected. New files appear in the user's folder on the server. If nothing arrives, check that every firewall has the ports open, the external IP address is right and the logger is in passive mode. Then see REXGEN: check the LTE connection with the debug tool.