The FTP folder provider in PADS4 allows you to connect to a remote FTP server and access its files for use in your digital signage presentations.

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Steps to Add/Modify an FTP Folder Connection in PADS4

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1. Start the Data Provider Wizard

  • Open the Data Provider Wizard using the steps in Adding a Data Provider or Editing a Data Provider.
  • Select FTP Folder as the provider type.

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2. Specify FTP Server and Connection Settings

  • Enter the FTP URL (e.g., ftp://yourserver.com/folder/).
  • Authentication (if required):
    • Enter the username and password if the FTP server requires login credentials.
  • Proxy Settings (if needed):
    • Configure a proxy server if required for internet access.
  • Security Options:
    • Enable Use SSL for secure FTP connections (FTPS).
    • Enable Passive Mode if the client needs to use a port above 1024 when connecting to port 21.
Click Next to proceed.

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3. Configure Folder and File Retrieval Settings

  • Include Subfolders if you want to retrieve files from subdirectories.
  • File Filtering:
    • Use Search Extension Restriction to filter files by type (e.g., .jpg, .pdf).
  • Sorting Options:
    • Choose sorting preferences for file retrieval order.
Click Next to continue.

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4. Complete the Wizard

  • Click Finish to finalize the FTP connection.
  • The PADS4 Viewer will now retrieve files from the FTP folder in real time.

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Important Considerations

  • PADS4 Data Server Access:
    • If using a PADS4 Data Server, the FTP folder must be accessible from the server’s location.
    • If not using a Data Server, ensure that each PADS4 Designer and Viewer has internet access to the FTP folder.
  • Sorting Behavior:
    • Generic sorting options in the last steps of the wizard will override folder-specific sorting settings.
By following these steps, you can successfully integrate FTP folder content into your PADS4 digital signage presentations.