Seon Core configuration

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Contents

Accessing configuration

Seon stores its core configuration in one simple database table. The configuration can therefor be changed in two ways:

  • using the comfortable web interface
  • using a database client program to change the values manually.

Because of the quite non-understandable names of the configuration values, all configuration value names are listed in each block of configuration for manual editing.

web interface method

The Seon web interface includes an entry in the left menu for the core configuration. Its name is "Configuration". The configuration web interface is segmentated into the following blocks:

  • TCP/IP
  • SSL/TLS
  • ISDN
  • Odette
  • Directories
  • Events
  • Daemon
  • Partner table
  • GUI

Each block is accessible with a link in the head of the configuration panel.

database method

The table "[tableprefix]configuration" (default: "seon_configuration") contains two columns:

  • name
  • value

The column "name" is the name of the configuration which is affected.

The column "value" reflects the configuration value, limited to 255 characters.

All boolean values react that the a value of zero ("0") if false and all other values are true.

Configurable values

Seon is highly configurable. The following configuration parameters show the position in the web GUI, beginning in the top. Each configuration name as used in all binaries, web interface, scripts etc. are listed in each block and explained as needed.

TCP/IP

This block contains all basic TCP/IP parameters, such as port numbers, timeout values etc.

Config-tcpip.png

TCP/IP port of OFTP server

DB configuration name: tcp_port

This numeric value between 1 and 65535 describes the TCP/IP port the OFTP server is watching for incoming connections. The maximum of parallel incoming connections is limited by the operating system kernel and can be influenced by the kernel parameter "SOMAXCONN".

TCP/IP port of OFTP server (TLS)

DB configuration name: tcp_port_tls

This numeric value between 1 and 65535 describes the TCP/IP port the OFTP server is watching for incoming OFTP2 connections which are secured by TLS. The maximum of parallel incoming connections is limited by the operating system kernel and can be influenced by the kernel parameter "SOMAXCONN". This port must not be the same as the OFTP server port from above.

TCP/IP port of Seon debug daemon

DB configuration name: debugd_port

This numeric value between 1 and 65535 describes the TCP/IP port the OFTP server is watching for debug output. Every Seon program generates this output. The daemon collects this data and is able to dump this data in an encrypted file. This must not be the same as OFTP or OFTP 2 server ports.

TCP/IP timeout

DB configuration name: tcp_timeout

This numeric value defines the maxmimum number of seconds between two TCP/IP packages to arrive. If this value is too low you might get network disconnects, setting this value very high means that a network disconnect will be discovered very late.

TCP/IP OFTP maximum buffersize

DB configuration name: oftp_default_buffersize_tcpip

During the OFTP handshake, the maximum size of a data buffer will be commited. This value reflects the maximum size of such data buffers. The minimum value is 128, the maximum can be should not be over 65535 (because of TCP/IP packaging). The higher the value, the faster the data transfer rate will be (but it depends on the partner side). On unreliable connections, use the default value of 2048 bytes. For configurations with problemous partners like old Seeburger products, please use 800 bytes as buffersize.

TCP/IP OFTP maximum credit count

DB configuration name: oftp_default_creditcount_tcpip

As the OFTP maximum buffersize, this value will be commited with the partner during a OFTP handshake. The number defines the amount of uncommited data buffers send to the receiver during file transfers. Increasing this value also increases the throughput. On unreliable connections you should use the default of 20. This is a different value than used for ISDN connections. For configurations with problemous partners like old Seeburger products, please use 20 as credit count.

use receiving acceleration?

DB configuration name: oftp_tcpip_rec_acceleration

This technique is used to accelerate incoming TCP/IP connection by pre-sending the so-called "OFTP credits" (which are used for handshaking OFTP data buffers) during file transfers. If your partner doesn't like this type of acceleration (i.e. partners who use Seeburger products), you have to disable it. You also have the chance to define a row in the partner table to define partner based acceleration.

Acceleration is incompatible with the following partner software solutions:

  • Seeburger WinElke
  • Bartsch Software

use send acceleration?

DB configuration name: oftp_tcpip_send_acceleration

Enabling this feature turns on code to ignore the first OFTP credit messages during file transfer. This tunes up transfer speed up to factor 100. The number of "ignored" OFTP credits is calculated dynamically via the agreed value of the buffersize during protocol handshake, based on a maximum TCP/IP package size of 60000 bytes (where 65536 bytes are possible). If you experience transfer aborts, disable this feature. Acceleration is incompatible with the following partner software solutions:

  • Seeburger WinElke
  • Bartsch Software

SSL/TLS parameters

For securing TLS sessions over TCP/IP networks (such as internet), you need to give some information about your local certificates. These information don't have to be the same as for file based security.

Config-ssl.png

TLS server certificate file & TLS server certificate password

DB configuration name: tls_local_certificate & tls_server_cert_password

Absolute path to the OFTP server certificate (in PEM format) for OFTP over TCP/IP (TLS secured). If the certificate is password-protected, you may enter it in the password field.

TLS client certificate file file & TLS client certificate password

DB configuration name: tls_default_client_certificate & tls_client_cert_password

Absolute path to the OFTP server certificate (in PEM format) for OFTP over TCP/IP (TLS secured). If the certificate is password-protected, you may enter it in the password field.

root certificate file & root certificate path

DB configuration name: tls_root_certificate & tls_root_certpath

The root certificates are used to authentificate partners which have certificates of unknown signers. At least one of these fields must be filled (even if the root certificate path doesn't contain any root certificates). The certificates must be in PEM format.

These variables are (if set) available to processes started by Seon via the environment variables "CA_FILE" and "CA_PATH" (see also Seon Core environment variables).

Diffie-Hellman parameter files

DB configuration name: dh128_file, dh256_file, dh512_file & dh1024_file

These files (128bit, 256bit, 512bit and 1024bit) contain prime numbers, which are the basis for TLS encrypted connections. If the file is writable, or the file doesn't exist and the directory is writable, you can generate a new file from the web interface by using the link "Recalculate" or "Generate" in the web interface, which opens a new window which executes the command. Don't close this window until you can read the message "You can close this window now"!

TLS server: check client certificate validity

DB configuration name: tls_server_check_client_cert

When this option is activated, all incoming TLS connections will be checked for a client certificate and a validity path for them. In case of self-signed certificates from the client, you have to add them manually (by requesting them from the partners) to your trusted certificate pool.

In case of client sessions, Seon will override a wrong purpose of the server certificate (such as "SSL Server: no").

Ignore TLS CRL unavailability?

DB configuration name: tls_ignore_crl_unavailable

If the above option "check client certificate validity" is activated, it is possible to deactivate the check of an existance of a CRL for all CA certificates which Seon doesn't have a CRL downloaded yet. This solves the problems with the following log entries the system log:

TLS error: no X509 certificate given in TLS handshake by remote partner
openSSL error: TLS network session failed, certificate problem: application verification failure
You must download a CRL for the CA of the certificate with the subject '...'
certificate verify error 3: unable to get certificate CRL: depth=0, subject: ...

Archive CRLs?

DB configuration name: archive_crl

When activated, all overwritten CRLs will be archived before every update. When deleting CRLs, they will be archived, too.

Disable automatic CRL handling

DB configuration name: disable_auto_crl

Normally, the Seon send queue daemon scans all partner certificates for a new CRL URL and add them to the CRL list when not included. By activating this checkbox, you can disable this default behaviour.

Disable automatic reactivation of CRLs

DB configuration name: crl_dont_automatic_reactivate

If automatic CRL handling is not deactivated, Seon will enable all found disabled CRL entries found in certificates. If you don't want this behaviour, you can disable the reactivation by enabling this configuration option.

Check CRL URLs every x timeslices

DB configuration name: autocrl_sendq_timeslices

The send queue daemon can process every configured amount of timeslices (configured in the daemon section here) all trusted certificates and their CRL distribution points. If any is not included in the revocation list yet, it will be added and handled. Cofiguration values above 512 and below 1 will be resetted to 10.

Maximum age of CRLs

DB configuration name: maximum_crl_age

CRLs carry a date within them which defined when they become invalid. Seon takes care of such CRLs by downloading and updating the database values according to the new content. With this configuration parameter you make any CRL entry invalid (and therefore marked for automatic update) which has an older update date than these amount of days before. So, the locally downloaded version of the CRL becomes invalid and gets updated eventually even before the next CRL will be issued.

This feature is recommended by the OFTP2 working group.

Entropy file for random data

DB configuration name: tls_entropy_file

In order to use TLS, you have to specify a random data source. This is a kernel based character file (like "/dev/urandom" or "/dev/random"). If your operating system doesn't support such a random file (like AIX 5.1), you can generate such a file on your own (i.e. with the tool "ssh-rand-helper" from any openSSL installation). At least 256 bytes of random data must exist in this file.

TSL URL

DB configuration name: TSL_URL

This URL defines the position of a list administrated by Odette which contains a list of authorized certificate authorities. If the signed XML could be verified successfully, all contained certificate authorities are added automatically to Seon.

The default value is:

http://www.odette.org/TSL/TSL_OFTP2.XML

Proxy

Seon offers for all HTTP and HTTPS transfer tasks proxy support. In order to use a defined proxy, several options are available. More details can be found here

Config-proxy.png

Use HTTP proxy?

DB configuration name: proxy_enabled

If you want to use a proxy, enable this checkbox. If the checkbox is disabled, all proxy relevant environment variables (see Seon HTTP Proxy support) are cleared in all proxy using tools and binaries (and thus the forked processes by these binaries also don't have proxy environment variables defined).

Use user settings/environment variables?

DB configuration name: proxy_use_env

If your used running Seon already has environmental variables defined for proper proxy support, you should enable this checkbox. Otherwise (if disabled), you have to configure the proxy in the parameter fields below.

Proxy hostname or IP

DB configuration name: proxy_host

The resolvable hostname or IP address of the proxy server.

Proxy port number

DB configuration name: proxy_port

The port number the proxy server is listening on. Only numbers are allowed here, from range 1-65535. Any other values will lead to misfunctions. Often used values are "8080" or "3128".

Proxy username

DB configuration name: proxy_username

If your proxy requires user authentification, enter a username here.

Proxy password

DB configuration name: proxy_password

If your proxy requires user authentification, enter the valid password for the above defined user.

Proxy type

DB configuration name: proxy_type

Different proxy types are supported, you should know which one fits your environment. Possible values are:

  • SOCKS4
  • SOCKS5
  • HTTP

Use Seon proxy?

DB configuration name: seon_proxy_enabled

If you want to use Seon proxy or Seon OFTP2 SmartProxy, enable this checkbox. Please refer to Seon Proxy and Seon OFTP2 SmartProxy for more detailled information.


ISDN parameters

Basic ISDN parameters for OFTP connections have to be defined here.

Config-isdn.png

ISDN OFTP maximum buffersize

DB configuration name: oftp_default_buffersize_isdn

As the TCP/IP maximum buffersize (as mentioned above), this numeric value reflects the maximum size of a OFTP data buffer. It may result to problems if this is set to values higher than your ISDN controllers can use for maximum transfer size, which is limited by CAPI2.0 to 4096 bytes. The minimum is 128 bytes. For configurations with problemous partners like old Seeburger products, please use 800 bytes as buffersize.

ISDN OFTP maximum credit count

DB configuration name: oftp_default_creditcount_isdn

Same as the TCP/IP maximum credit count, this numeric value reflects the number of OFTP data exchange buffers before a little handshake will be done by the OFTP protocol. For configurations with problemous partners like old Seeburger products, please use 20 as credit count.

ISDN force confirmation of each DATA_B3 package

DB configuration name: isdn_force_confirm_each_data_b3

In ISDN, all data is transfered in 128 byte blocks, so-called "DATA B3 packages". Each package has to be confirmed by the remote partner, so the ISDN subsystem can remove unneeded memory and do some cleanup. If the remote partner doesn't confirm all DATA B3 packages, you may force him do so by enabling this checkbox. The ISDN subsystem sets a special flag in the DATA B3 package so nearly every ISDN counter system should confirm the receipt of that package, even if it's not explicitely implemented.

maximum amount of unconfirmed CAPI DATA B3 packages

DB configuration name: max_capi_sliding_window_size

Different ISDN systems support a different amount of unconfirmed DATA B3 packages (see above). The normal CAPI standard of seven (7) unconfirmed DATA packages should never be reached, so you should be one or two packages lower than that limit in order to achieve the maximum of transport speed. Special CAPI ISDN implementations support more that the standard of seven packages, i.e. Bintec Bricks (they support up to 15). It doesn't make any sense to use that amount of unconfirmed data buffers, it doesn't speed up the transfer any more. If you receive CAPI timeouts, you should lower this amount of packages.

Don't wait for DATA B3 confirmation packages

DB configuration name: isdn_dont_wait_for_data_b3_conf

If your ISDN system supports an extreme data throughput and nearly unlimited amount of unconfirmed DATA B3 packages lying around, you may ignore and don't wait for DATA B3 confirmation packages by enabling this highly unsupported feature. If you encounter line disconnects, disable this feature!

Background: In "normal" ISDN wildlife, each DATA B3 indication package indicates that other DATA B3 confirmation packages (up to this point of protocol transfer time) have been received. TIf you transfer very little files, it may be annoying waiting for each single data confirm package, you could send the file "as is" and wait for the OFTP protocol confirmation instead of waiting for the ISDN subsystem to acknowledge each single small piece of data sent. In some cases it's helpful, in most it's not! Just keep the setting disabled as long as you know exactly what you are doing!

enable CAPI keep-alive monitor

DB configuration name: capi_check_alive_monitor

In order to use a Brick R4x00 or above, you have to enable this feature. Also, if you don't want to watch for Seon after a reboot of the Brick device, enable this feature. Activating this feature, Seon checks every defined controller every 60 seconds for availability. If a controller is inaccessible, it tries the connectivity again after 60 seconds. ---

Odette parameters

Default OFTP parameters for authentifications are configurable here. If no special columns are defined in the partner table below, these values will be used.

Config-odette.png

my default SSID, my default SFID, my default OFTP password, change every partner entry

DB configuration name: default_ssid, default_sfid & default_password

These elements are only used for the web interface for creating new partners or for changing all partner values. If the checkbox is enabled, all partners in the partner table will get the new values for SSID, SFID and password on your side. If you don't configure columns in the partner table configuration below, these values are used for OFTP authentification.


Directories

In order to let Seon know where to find directories and files, these values have to be defined.

Config-directories.png

data incoming directory

DB configuration name: incoming_directory

After successful file transfers (receiving), this directory defines where the incoming files will be stored. This directory must be on the same filesystem as the temporary directory (see below), otherwise you will get an error message in syslog (if enabled) that moving incoming files cannot be done. The filesystem must be dimensioned big enough to store a file with at most the maximum transfer size. I.e., if you receive a file of 200MB, you will need to have 200MB free on this filesystem, otherwise an error message will be sent to the partner (that the local filesystem is not big enough) and an entry to the receive log will be added.

data outgoing directory

DB configuration name: outgoing_directory

This directory will be used by Seon Webaccess (which is part of Seon Enterprise) for outgoing jobs when initiating a send job. The plugins seonplugin_filemove and seonplugin_filecopy can refer to this directory by a configuration value.

temporary directory

DB configuration name: tmp_directory

During incoming file transfers, the file fragments will be stored in this directory. Keep in mind (as mentioned above) to set this directory to the same filesystem as the incoming directory. The filesystem must be dimensioned big enough to store a file with at most the maximum transfer size. I.e., if you receive a file of 200MB, you will need to have 200MB free on this filesystem, otherwise an error message will be sent to the partner (that the local filesystem is not big enough) and an entry to the receive log will be added.

database backup directory

DB configuration name: backup_directory

If you want to use the Seon backup mechamism, you need to define a directory where the SQL dump files will be stored. This directory is needed for the scripts "seonbackup" and "seonrestore".

binary installation directory

DB configuration name: bin_directory

This directory points to your binary installation of Seon. It also contains the license key, so if you receive a license error, first check the existence of this directory and the file "license.key" in it. This entry is also used for the web interface to start the daemons.

script installation directory

DB configuration name: script_directory

This directory points to your script installation of Seon. It contains helpful scripts, such as database backup and restore scripts and maybe other useful tools. The Seon web interface uses this definition.

absolute path to 'openssl'

DB configuration name: tcp_timeout

DB configuration name: openssl_binary_path

Seon uses openSSL as basis for all OFTP 2 file security functions. The configured binary must exist and be executable for the user running Seon processes. The used openSSL binary must be of version 0.9.9dev, 1.0.0 or higher to fulfill the functionality for OFTP2.

absolute path to 'rrdtool'

DB configuration name: rrdtool_binary_path

In order to use statistics, you have to define the path to „rrdtool“, the Round Robin database tool by Tobias Oetiker. The standard Seon distribution contains a pre-compiled version which works within Seon. If the file configured isn't executable, statistics are disabled. The program is used to create databases within Seon binaries, push data in it and to display the results as graphical output in the web interface. The latest version of "rrdtool" can be found under http://oss.oetiker.ch/rrdtool/. On his website he has also Amazon wishlists, so if you want to support his great work, please donate some gifts.

RRDB data path

DB configuration name: rrdb_datapath

In this path, Seon creates, stores, modifies and searches the files for statistics. The directory must be writable by the user running Seon. If the path isn't writable or doesn't exists, statistics are disabled. For each partner, a file is generated for incoming transfer and for outgoing. The total consumption on the filessystem is about 315kB per partner.

absolute path to RRDtool TTF file

DB configuration name: rrdtool_font_path

The statistical overview needs a font file (as Truetype font). Without this font file, you won't get any textual information in the statistic graphs.

SQL lost messages file

DB configuration name: sql_lost_messages_file

If the configured MySQL server isn't reachable at any time, the SQL statements which are being sent to the MySQL server are logged into this file. If the file doesn't exists it will be created, so the directory must be writable for the user running Seon. The file itself (if it exists) must also be writable by the user running Seon.

Append datestamp to SQL lost messages file?

DB configuration name: sql_lost_messages_file_append_timestamp

If enabled, in case of database inaccessibility, all SQL statements which could not be executed will be logged in the above configured "SQL lost message file", which gets a datestamp appendix to the filename. This datestamp consists of the following:

  • a single point (".")
  • year with 4 digits (like "2009")
  • month with 2 digits (like "03")
  • day with 2 digits (like "27")

Example with a lost message fole configured to "/opt/seon/tmp/sql_lost_messages":

/opt/seon/tmp/sql_lost_messages.20090307
/opt/seon/tmp/sql_lost_messages.20090130

MySQL dump tool

DB configuration name: mysqldump

As a useful tool from each MySQL distribution, the tool "mysqldump" is used in the Seon backup script for doing its job.

send test file

If configured correctly, Seon displays a link System-software-update.gif for test purposes for a partner. A given file can be sent with a given virtual filename to that partner for checking the OFTP connection.



Events

Config-events.png

First some words about the global behaviour of scripts:

event script usage

Every time the configuration of Seon is checked by a binary (which is at start time or when processing the signal 1 - SIGHUP), the event script configuration is checked. If a script is non-existant and/or the execute permissions don't allow the execution of a configured script, it won't get executed. No warning will be printed out or logged somewhere.

Presets exist (which are dynamically calculated with the last saved values for the scripts and binary directory configured here). These presets could be used for easy resetting the script configuration to either Seon Enterprise (Lite) and/or Seon 2 Core.

event script sleep time

Sometimes it is very handy if the event scripts are started with a little lag. This can be especially interesting if the „end receive“ or „end send“ scripts are called very fast because of small transfer files (i.e. ENGDAT abstract file). If you experience problems with your EDI system (i.e. it doesn't catch all files), try to increase the appropriate value. Keep in mind that the OFTP session waits that time you configured the sleep time. Setting the values very high increases the risk of a disconnect if the remote site has very little timeouts configured! More than 5 seconds should not be normal!

start send script

DB configuration name: start_send_script & sleep_start_send_script

If a file is getting sent, this script or program will be started with the documented parameters.

end send script

DB configuration name: end_send_script & sleep_end_send_script

If a file has finished (successfully or not) sending, this script or program will be started with the documented parameters.

xERP script

DB configuration name: xerp_script & sleep_xerp_script

If an EERP or NERP (OFTP 2 only) message is received, this script will be started. Seon tries to find a send queue entry which conforms to the given parameters in order to set the values for comment, absolute path etc. If no send queue entry can be found that matches the given parameters in the EERP or NERP message, the script won't be executed. This script receives the same parameters as the end send script script.

start receive script

DB configuration name: start_receive_script & sleep_start_receive_script

If a file is getting received, this script or program will be started with the documented parameters.

end receive script

DB configuration name: end_receive_script & sleep_end_receive_script

If a file has finished (successfully or not) receiving, this script or program will be started with the documented parameters.

start session script

DB configuration name: start_session_script & sleep_start_session_script

After a positive OFTP handshake, this script or program will be started with the documented parameters.

end session script

DB configuration name: end_session_script & sleep_end_session_script

After a positive OFTP session, this script or program will be started with the documented parameters.

send queue entry blocked script

DB configuration name: blocked_script & sleep_blocked_script

If a send queue entry gets blocked (i.e. wrong authentification, unsupported virtual filename at the remote site, connection problems), this scripts will be started. If more than one entry for a partner gets blocked, each send queue entry will start its own blocked script.

debug daemon log script

DB configuration name: seondebugd_log_script

After a debug log has been written, this script will be started. This can be the case when asking for a debug log interactively (or with starting the appropriate program manually) or, if configured, when automatically created debug logs are written.

license script & trigger level

DB configuration name: license_script & license_script_hwm

This script will be started after a configurable trigger level (in percent) is exceeded. Its main porpuse is to inform a responsible person that a new license should be obtained or other actions should be taken.

Enable automatic update mechanism & Seon automatic software update script

DB configuration name: run_updates_automatically & seonupdate_script

If the value of run_updates_automatically is non-zero (if the checkbox is enabled), the automatic update script is started with the received file with the reserved virtual filename "Seon_UPDATE". This is normally a program of the Seon distribution in order to update the installation via signed files. This program changes its user context to the configured user (see: run Seon update program as user).

enqueue post-script

DB configuration name: enqueue_post_script

This script which will be executed after a successful enqueueing process.

Seon API proxy system log event script

DB configuration name: seonapi_proxy_systemlog_script

This script which will be executed after a critical situation of the Seon Proxy will be logged in the Seon system log.


Daemon parameters

The behaviour of all binaries and Seon programs can be influenced here.

Config-daemon.png

run Seon programs as user

DB configuration name: running_as_user

When starting as user "root", all Seon binaries will try to switch to this configured user, if available on the running system. Subsequent calls of scripts and other programs are also done in the context of this user. This is extremely useful for runlevel scripts.

Double-check that this user exists in the system running Seon, that is has a home directory which is accessible and writable and that this user has a shell configured which is runnable!

run Seon update program as user

DB configuration name: running_update_as_user

If enabled below, automatic software update are being run using this specific username. If changing to the context of this given user fails, the whole update procedure fails. If no username is configured, superuser "root" is used.

time slice for send queue daemon

DB configuration name: seonsqd_sleep_time

The send queue daemon „seonsqd2“ waits this amount of seconds before looking at the send queue table and react as needed (send one more entry, wait more time etc.).

time slice for receive daemon

DB configuration name: seonrd_sleep_time

The receiving daemon „seonrd2“ waits this amount of seconds before looking at the configuration table and react as needed (wait more time or stop itself).

delete send queue entries

DB configuration name: delete_after_transfer

This checkbox defines if the send queue table entries should be deleted (not the files itself, only the entry!) after a successful send. (If you need to delete the file itself, you should use the end send script, which gets the absolute filename as a parameter).

let all files of send queue be fetchable

DB configuration name: fetch_all_from_remote

Since polling is supported from remote systems, you can define files to be pollable. If you enable this checkbox, all files in your send queue which are in state of "new in queue" and "ready for remote fetch" will be sent in an OFTP session to the partner (otherwise, only entries "ready for remote fetch" are fetchable).

overwrite existing incoming files

DB configuration name: seonrd_overwrite

If the incoming file exists in the "incoming directory", you can define to overwrite it. Otherwise, the partner will receive an error message saying that the local file already exists. (this might be useful for partners who don't like to reiceive an EEPR [end-to-end- response] message right after a successful filetransfer).

default maximum send tries for send queue daemon

DB configuration name: seonsqd_max_tries

The send queue daemon "seonsqd2" will try to send one or all entries this amount of times. After this amount of unsuccessful tries, one or all send queue entries for that partner will be blocked (which will also get logged into the send log). All entries for a partner get blocked, if a connection problem occurs (i.e. invalid SSID/SFID or password, no physical connection to partner, wrong ISDN number or TCP/IP address etc.). One entry will be blocked if the partner doesn't accept this file. The other files are not affected by that error (i.e. wrong virtual filename, wrong alternative SFID of originator or destination).

additional sleeping time for send queue daemon & additional sleeping time factor for send queue daemon

DB configuration name: seonsqd_add_time & seonsqd_add_time_factor

You can influence the time the send queue daemon „seonsqd2“ will sleep before it tries to send an send queue entry. The formula for calculating the additional sleep is as follows:

(add. waiting time) = (connect try)*(add. sleeping time)*(add. sleeping time factor) 

progress bar refresh time

DB configuration name: progressbar_refresh

Seon will update all file transfer progress information after this value (in seconds). Because it is database driven, some MySQL server will crash if you have too many connects to a database in a very short time (which could occur if you transfer very little files with a combination of a small exchange buffer size). If you experience problems with your database server, try increasing this value.

default maximum parallel send processes

DB configuration name: default_max_sendq_sendings_per_partner

You can define the amount of parallel sending processes globally here. There is also a definable column in the partner table (see below) to set this value on a per-partner base. If you don't have such a column, this default value will be used.

allow unsecure OFTP 2 authentification

DB configuration name: oftpv2_allow_unsecure_auth

If an OFTP 2 partner is requested to use OFTP 2 authentification but he doesn't support this feature, you may allow to authentificate this partner with the OFTP 1 methods by enabling this checkbox. If you insist to use OFTP 2 authentification, disable the checkbox, so the partner will receive an error message that OFTP 2 secure authentification is needed.

delete temporary created files of OFTP 2 session

DB configuration name: oftpv2_delete_temp_created_files

Seon creates temporary files by enqueueing files to the send queue or by directly sending a file to an OFTP 2 partner (if the partner is configured to use signing, compression and/or encryption). These temporary files can be deleted by Seon automatically, but you may also want to keep them for later archiving.

disable database schema check

DB configuration name: disable_check_seon_tables

Seon checks the database schema with every start of any Seon binary program. This is very useful for verifying that the Seon database tables are really up to date. If any table doesn't exists or a column is missing Seon will try to create the item. The database user therefore needs privileges to create and modify the schema. Leave this checkbox disabled if you want to be on the safe side. Enable the checkbox to disable the schema checks and updates if you encounter database server problems or your database user has no privileges to modify the database.

local character set

DB configuration name: oftpv2_original_charset

OFTP 2 supports UTF-8 formatted information and error messages within the protocol and also extended virtual filenames (up to 999 bytes of UTF-8 formatted text). To translate the UTF-8 text into your local character set and to translate command line interaction from your local character set to UTF-8, you have to define your local character set here. If your local character set isn't listed here, you can define it in the database (table: "seon_configuration") manually by entering the character set descriptor in the line where „name“ is "oftpv2_original_charset". All character sets which are supported by "iconv" are supported by Seon. You get a list of supported character sets on the command line with the program:

iconv -l

if installed.

Unblock blocked send queue entries after successful connect?

DB configuration name: unblock_blocked_sendqueue_entries_after_poll

If enabled, this options lets the Seon poll binary and receive daemon unblock blocked send queue entries after a incoming or outgoing connection to this partner has been successfully established.

Disable file restart functionality?

DB configuration name: configDaemonDisableFilerestart

If enabled, Seon doesn't offer file restart functionality (which is offered by default if the communication partner supports it). In this case, the partner is told not to support file resuming, so aborted file transfers will restart in future sessions from the beginning of the file.

Disable automatic database cleanups / optimizations?

DB configuration name: configDaemonDisableMysqlOptimizeTables

Seon cleans up database tables after a successful delete operation (in MySQL via "OPTIMIZE TABLE", in SQLite via "VACUUM" command). Enabling this configuration option disables the automatic cleanup of tables. Warning: could make your database grow in size if you don't clean up on your own!

enable OFTP message checker

DB configuration name: oftp_message_checker

To secure your server, an OFTP message checker examines each transfered package for validity. This suppresses protocol attacks from remote and helps to avoid NULL pointer exceptions and other well-known attacks.

send queue entry status after abort

DB configuration name: sendq_entry_status_after_abort

You can define the status of a send queue entry after manual abort here. It may be useful to avoid a race between an administrator and the send queue daemon if he aborts the file transfer but the send queue daemon grabs it afterwards because the time slice has taken account. Valid options are "new in queue", "successfully sent", "blocked" and "ready for remote fetch".

enable statistics & RRDtools refresh time

DB configuration name: enable_statistics & rrd_refresh

As configured above with the RRDtool paths and directories, you have the possibility to activate or deactivate the scripting functionality here. The statistics contain the average transfer speed of a partner (incoming and outgoing as separate databases). If any of the above configured RRDtool path or binary is unavailable, scripting is disabled, even if you enable it here. The refresh time is the time is seconds when statistical data is transfered into the Round Robin database. This time period depends also on the database configuration of the RRDB and is closely dependant from the creation process which is intergrated into Seon (if an RRDB file doesn't exist). The default of 10 seconds should not be changed!

NEW: If statistics are enabled, a seperate logging table will be filled with information how many files have been transfered (in the ways "sent" and "received" with or without success. This amount of transfered filed is being displayed in the partner list and the partner "edit" details.

append timestamp to received file

DB configuration name: rec_append_timestamp_to_filename

Some partners may send you files with the same virtual filename, but different timestamps. In order to receive these files properly, an appendix is added to the filename containing the announced timestamp of the file. This also helps to receive the same file from different partners at the same time. Beware: the timestamp syntax has changed from OFTP 1 to OFTP 2!

The appendix of the filename is as follows:

  • OFTP 1.0 - OFTP 1.3: "<datestamp><timestamp>0000", i.e. "200903171423590000"
  • OFTP 1.4 and OFTP2: "<datestamp><timestamp><counter>", i.e. "200903171423590523"

The main difference between both names is that the "counter" field in older OFTP sessions will be emulated via "0000".

OFTPv1: Don't wait for EERP message

DB configuration name: oftpv1_dont_wait_for_eerp

The normal behaviour of a send queue item is as follows:

  • new in queue: waiting for transfer
  • taken by send queue: session active, waiting for transfer
  • send in progress: active transfer
  • waiting for remote acknowledge: waiting for EERP or NERP from partner
  • successfully sent: partner acknowleged file (entry may be deleted if configured)

If an partner doesn't send an EERP message, the send queue entry will exist forever. In order to avoid this, the send queue entry may get the status „successfully sent“ after successful send by enabling this checkbox (and may be deleted if the above checkbox „delete send queue entries“ is enabled). Beware: the xERP scripts won't be executed any more because no send queue entry will be found matching the parameters given in any EERP or NERP message. This feature just affects OFTP v1 partners, not OFTP 2!

Enable automatic update mechanism?

DB configuration name: run_updates_automatically

Activating this feature enables the usage of automatic software and lowers the administrative tasks to keep the software up-to-date.

Send queue daemon partner organizing mechanism

DB configuration name: sqd_partner_organizing

If you want to configure a massive parallel installation to be handled by the send queue daemon without shared memory segments for information handling which partner has how many lines online, you may want to switch this configuration value to "database values". The default of "shared memory segments" works perfectly for single instances of Seon and should be set only this way. CAVEAT: when using database values only for parallel channel information on send queue partners, there exists a timeframe when the information is invalid (this is when the send queue daemon forks a new process up to the database update command execution). During this little amount of time, more parallel processes may exist than configured for this partner.

take ALL server IDs into account
DB configuration name: sqd_db_partner_organizing_all

If the above configuration of "Send queue daemon partner organizing mechanism" is set to "database values", then only this server ID could be inspected or ALL used servers can be inspected for parallel channels. Enabling this checkbox is the recommended value for this configuration!

also take receive queue into account
DB configuration name: sqd_partner_organizing_use_recq

If the above configuration of "Send queue daemon partner organizing mechanism" is set to "database values", it's possible to active the check of the send queue for active partner connections. This amount of active connections will be added to the calculation of active connections for opening new connections during send queue daemon handling.

Should Seon send queue daemon unblock all blocked entries on startup?

DB configuration name: seonsqd_unblock_on_start

The default behaviour of Seon send queue daemon on startup: if enabled, the daemon unblocks all blocked send queue entry for the configured server ID. The behaviour up to 2007-11-24 was like enabling this feature.

Enable offline handling of OFTP2 transfered files?

DB configuration name: offline_oftp2_filehandling

Since version 2007-12-01, Seon is able to handle OFTP 2 offline, so the security features of OFTP2 can be used in an insecure network segment. Enable this feature in order to use seon_oftp2_offlinehandling to handle the received files semi-manually.

pre-script for offline tool
DB configuration name: offline_oftp2_pre_script

This script is executed before the handling process starts. It may be used to transfer the file itself from one location to another. Parameters are documented here

post-script for offline tool
DB configuration name: offline_oftp2_post_script

This script is executed after the handling process starts. It may be used to clean up the environment. Parameters are documented here

remove successfully handled offline OFTP2 file entries
DB configuration name: oftp2_offlinefile_remove_entries

If this flag is enabled, successfully handled files will be removed from the list of received files. It's highly recommended to turn this flag on.

Identify remote partner via incoming medium, too?

DB configuration name: partner_search_medium

When enabled, the Seon receive daemon checks for the given medium the partner connects to the server and identifies the partner with this information in addition to the given SSID and password. This feature is very handy when several partner entries with the same SSID and password exist for different reasons.

Don't send EERP messages immediately in OFTP 1.x sessions?

DB configuration name: no_instant_eerp

When enabled, Seon doesn't send instantly EERP (end-to-end-response) messages to the remote partner containing the default parameters. If enabled, you have to create the EERP message manually (or programatically) in order to be sent correctly to the partner.

Receive all files if partner is authentificated?

DB configuration name: receive_catch_all

In order to receive ALL files of a authenticated partner (via SSID and password), without any check of locally defined originator and/or destination SFID, please active this checkbox. All files are being received without any error, even if no partner has been configured for this configuration of SFIDs. You should design your post-processing of the received file via the "end receive script" on your own.

Cleanup queues on daemon startup?

DB configuration name: cleanup_queues

If enabled, a successful start of a send or receive queue daemons cleans up the respective queue with the following rules:

  • server ID matches the started daemon
  • send queue daemon "seonsqd": Reset all files in status "taken by send queue" and "send in progress" to "new in queue"
  • receive queue daemon "seonrd": Remove all files with the same server ID

Because it's a quite destructive option, the default is off.

Should invalid restart positions deactive restart of file?

DB configuration name: dont_restart_invalid_offset

If enabled, all files given with a restart position bigger than proposed file size won't restart file transfer and begin at the start of the file (i.e. if file size is 44123kB, but restart position is available at 49876kB, because the physical file is 51832kB big; received file size is bigger that the proposed 44123kB because the file is bigger).

Note: Volvo needs this flag to be turned on in special conditions.

Activate OFTP2 secure authentification directly after certificate delivery?

DB configuration name: activate_ssidauth_after_delivery

If enabled, the partner switch "use OFTP2 secure authentification" will be enabled right after an automatic import of a certificate delivery. Please note that this may influence the behaviour of new connections: they may be aborted if the configuration flag allow unsecure OFTP 2 authentification is disabled and this partner wants to connect the next time and doesn't have the same settings activated.

Enable per-partner virtual file naming recognition?

DB configuration name: per_partner_sfiddsn

If enabled, an incoming file will be checked against a list of configured partner entries with the configured SFID (originator and destination) and in addition to this normal behaviour, against a list of configured virtual filenames (so-called "DSN", "Virtual File Dataset Name" or "SFIDDSN"). These allowed virtual filenames are configurable at a per-partner basis, so they are an additional switch which partner entry is handling this special filename.

If multiple partner entries match, first one will be used.

Manage SWAN 2010 jobs?

DB configuration name: manage_swan2010_jobs

When enabled, Seon checks all sent send queue entries for references to a SWAN job. If such a job is being referenced, it will be set to 'RESUME_PRSOCESSING' after successful send of all files of this job. This task is being done asynchronously by the send queue daemon.

SWAN 2010 jobs table or view name to update?

DB configuration name: swan2010_jobs_tablename

The name of the table (or view) to update after successful send of a SWAN 2010 job. The table must contain at least the following two columns:

  • id: numeric ID (normally a BIGINT) of the SWAN job
  • status: VARCHAR typed column, which will be set to 'RESUME_PRSOCESSING'

Be absolute RFC restrictive?

DB configuration name: rfc_conformity

This optional parameter enables strict RFC conformity. This enables:

  • Closure of TCP/IP connection after partner closes connection only (no pro-active socket closing)
  • Sending CD message even if the partner doesn't want to (EFPA['N']). This unwanted "C"hange "D"irection request break OFTP sessions with (at least) Axway products.

Fetch EERPs?

DB configuration name: configDaemonFetchEerp

If enabled, Seon's send queue daemon will contact the remote partner for every file which is in the send queue status "waiting for remote acknowledge". In the newly created session, the partner has the chance to send the EERP or NERP message for any file. The maximum amount of configured sessions for a partner is being used (if available and configured properly in the "partner table" configuration). No more than the maximum of this amount of sessions will be opened, summarized for poll queue, send queue files and EERP fetching entries.

Fetch EERPs every x timeslice

DB configuration name: configDaemonFetchEerpTimeslice

If EERP fetching is enabled, this factor is being used to increase the time between two connect tries of the Seon send queue daemon when trying to fetch one or more EERP messages of a partner.



Seon Enterprise

The behaviour of Seon Enterprise can be influenced here.

Config-Enterprise.png

is Seon Enterprise installed?

DB configuration name: seon_enterprise

If you enable this checkbox, the web interface expands its funtionality needed to administrate Seon Enterprise, an enhanced version of Seon. Disabling this checkbox turns Seon into its default configuration of Seon Core. If you are interested in features of Seon Enterprise, contact your software dealer or write an email to info@seon.de .

default country

DB configuration name: default_country_idx

When creating a new company entry in the Seon partner database and using Seon Enterprise, a country has to be selected for this partner. For easy administration, a default country is configurable with with configuration. This configuration is only visible if Seon Enterprise is installed (and the above checkbox is enabled).

default receive plugin group

DB configuration name: default_rec_plugin_pkg

This pulldownmenu contains all defined plugin packages. You should select a plugin package which will be run after a job is completely received (i.e. after the receive file sorter has collected all needed files). This configuration is only visible if Seon Enterprise is installed (and the above checkbox is enabled).

default send plugin group

DB configuration name: default_send_plugin_pkg

The configured default send plugin group is used to pre-configure a plugin group which is used for newly added partners. This plugin group will be configured at company level (the highest hierarchy level) for the new partner.

enable multi-protocol support?

DB configuration name: seon_enterprise_other_protocols

In order to enable other protocols in addition to OFTP and OFTP2 (which is handled via the Seon send queue for outgoing files), you may define and use other protocols for data transfer to partners. Enable this checkbox to get more options on then. See Seon Enterprise - other protocols for more details about administration.

define own company

DB configuration name: seon_enterprise_own_company

For a finer grained target address code search, you can define your own company here. If "no selection - enable multi-client-support" is selected, all address codes of all companies will be used for recipient search.

Path for jobs of directory scanner

DB configuration name: enterprise_dirscanner_jobdir

This name defines the path (relative to the outgoing directory wherein the directory scanner will create jobs. The job number will be appended to this given directory name. Relative path information can be used, too (using "../" definitions).

Examples (with a default outgoing directory path of "/opt/seon/outgoing"):

  • definition: seon-dirscanner-enterprise-job-
  • resulting path (for job 123): /opt/seon/outgoing/seon-dirscanner-enterprise-send-job-123/

Don't show receive queue view

DB configuration name: webaccess_disable_recq

If you don't want the receive queue to be displayed to end-users in Seon Webaccess, enable this checkbox. The receive queue view doesn't contain any administrative operations.

Don't show send queue view

DB configuration name: webaccess_disable_sendq

If you don't want the send queue to be displayed to end-users in Seon Webaccess, enable this checkbox. The send queue view doesn't contain any administrative operations.

Show incoming jobs without recipient

DB configuration name: webaccess_show_invalid_rec_jobs

When enabled, this feature adds jobs without a valid recipient to the list of incoming jobs for all users.

Session timeout (min)

DB configuration name: webaccess_session_timeout

You can set a session for timeout for Seon Webaccess sessions here. Without any interaction, an old session expires automatically after that amount of minutes.

Highlight address code in ENGDAT filenames

DB configuration name: webaccess_highlight_addresscode

If ENGDAT filenames are not interpreted into real filenames (as given i.e. in ENGDAT abstract files, these files are quite technical to read. In order to highlight the address code contained in the filename, enabling this configuration options offers to highlight this address code with the following methods:

  • bold (configuration variable "webaccess_highlight_addresscode_bold")
  • underlined (configuration variable "webaccess_highlight_addresscode_underline")
  • italic (configuration variable "webaccess_highlight_addresscode_italic")

Show all incoming jobs of department

DB configuration name: webaccess_show_dep_jobs_incoming

Seon Webaccess normally shows only jobs of the corresponding user who is logged in. In order to show all incoming jobs of the department the user is contained, enable this checkbox.

Show all outgoing jobs of department

DB configuration name: webaccess_show_dep_jobs_outgoing

Seon Webaccess normally shows only jobs of the corresponding user who is logged in. In order to show all outgoing jobs of the department the user is contained, enable this checkbox.

Default path for filemove plugin

DB configuration name: global_filemoveplugin_target_path

By default, the filemove plugin moves every file into a directory which is based on a partner configuration. If no partner configuration is given, this directory (using variables as configured) will be used. If the configuration is empty, too, the default path is:

  • incoming job:
/<jobnumber>
  • outgoing job
<data_outgoing_directory>/<jobnumber> 


Seon Webaccess

The block for Seon Webaccess configuration is documented seperately.

Seon Enterprise plugins - default configuration

The block for Seon Enterprise plugin default configuration configuration is documented seperately.



OFTP2

OFTP2 relevant options are configurable here:

Config-OFTP2.png

OFTP2 secure authentification mode

DB configuration name: oftp2_sec_auth_mode

During the development of the OFTP2 protocol, two modes of authentification were implemented. Since this is a server-side requirement, it is only set up at a global basis. The following values are interpreted:

  • 1: encrypted data (RFC conformant, default)
  • 0: signed data (RFC draft comformant)

As fallback strategy, other values lead to the default value.

allow unsecure OFTP 2 authentification

DB configuration name: oftpv2_allow_unsecure_auth

If enabled (all other values than zero, '0') it is possible to connect to Seon with a disabled secure authentification mechanism, even if the identified partner (via SSID and password) has a secure authentification method activated. If this configuration is disabled (which is the default), OFTP2 sessions are directly closed with a secure session error message.

delete temporary created files of OFTP 2 session

DB configuration name: oftpv2_delete_temp_created_files

If enabled (all other values than zero, '0') all files created for temporary usage in OFTP2 sessions and session preparations will not be deleted. This is useful for debugging the created files and meta-information.

Enable offline handling of OFTP2 transfered files?

DB configuration name: offline_oftp2_filehandling

If enabled (all other values than zero, '0') incoming OFTP2 files (which need to be handled by any security mechanism, such as signature checking, decompression and/or decryption, will be held in an offline queue, which will then be evaluated by the Seon offline daemon.

pre-script for offline tool
DB configuration name: offline_oftp2_pre_script

If OFTP2 offline handling is enabled, you may enter here the absolute path to an executable which will be executed by the Seon offline handler before the offline handler processes the file. This is normally a transferer script.

post-script for offline tool
DB configuration name: offline_oftp2_post_script

If OFTP2 offline handling is enabled, you may enter here the absolute path to an executable which will be executed by the Seon offline handler after the offline handler has processed a file. This is normally a cleanup script.

remove successfully handled offline OFTP2 file entries
DB configuration name: oftp2_offlinefile_remove_entries

If OFTP2 offline handling is enabled, successfully processed files will be removed from the offline queue (the database table only, not from the filesystem!) if this feature is activated.

Activate OFTP2 secure authentification directly after certificate delivery?

DB configuration name: activate_ssidauth_after_delivery

If enabled, Seon activates secure authentification method for the given partner right after an automatic certificate exchange.

Don't send EERP messages immediately in OFTP2 sessions?

DB configuration name: no_instant_oftp2_eerp

After successful receipt of an OFTP2 file, you may suppress the automatic sending of an EERP by activating this feature. You should ensure to send an EERP via "seoneq" with all parameters given in the "end receive script".

Delete original OFTP2 handled files which have been enqueued by send queue daemon?

DB configuration name: deleteToBeEnqueuedTouchedFiles

If a file, which has been in status 10 ("to be enqueued for OFTP2"), may result in a temporary OFTP2 file if one of the options for OFTP2 file handling is enabled (compression, signing or encryption). If this is the case, the original file would stay in it's original state. When enabling this feature, Seon deletes this original file for security reasons from the filesystem. WARNING: no undo or recovery is available!


Logging

Logging enables Seon to insert human readable messages into log tables. You may turn some features on or off to suite your needs.

Config-logging.png

use syslog

DB configuration name: use_syslog

If you turn on this checkbox, major errors will be logged to the server's syslog facility with the severity LOG_ERR. Major errors are table misconfigurations or process dependant messages (fork failures, memory allocation problems etc.).

enable log vault

DB configuration name: enable_log_vault

Enabling this feature activates code to move log entries from the direct access log tables to slower log vault tables, where all messages (older than a configurable amount of days) are kept. This enhances the access to the online logs.

maximum age for fast logs

DB configuration name: logvault_days

After this amount of days, log entries will be moved from one log to the vault.

move send logs every x timeslices

DB configuration name: logvault_sendq_timeslices

The entries older than the above configured value ('maximum age') of the send log will be moved to the slower vault every this amount of time slices of the send queue daemon. This configuration value cooperates with the configuration value 'time slice for send queue daemon'. Only logs belonging to that server ID will be moved to the vault!

move receive logs every x timeslices

DB configuration name: logvault_recq_timeslices

The entries older than the above configured value ('maximum age') of the receive log will be moved to the slower vault every this amount of time slices of the receive queue daemon. This configuration value cooperates with the configuration value 'time slice for receive daemon'. Only logs belonging to that server ID will be moved to the vault!

archive received xERP messages & archive sent xERP messages

DB configuration name: oftpv2_archive_received_xerp & oftpv2_archive_sent_xerp

It may be useful archive positive and/or negative end-to-end responses. These xERP messages can be seen as acknowledgements from the partner (received xERP) or from yourself (sent xERP). The web interface contains a archive viewer on the left hand: "xERP log". This feature may be needed in some countries for legal issues.

enable script logging

DB configuration name: enable_script_logging

Enabling this feature logs all script calls, parameters, returncodes and output to the script logs. In the web interface, you can take a look at the script logs with the link „Script log“. In this interface, you can also restart event scripts (even if they have changed in the configuration: you can then execute the original or the new one, depending on executability of the script file).

Enable directory scanner logging?

DB configuration name: enable_dirscanner_logging

If enabled, the directory scanner logs every single execution script based on the found file.

Enable continuous write of Seon debug daemon output?

DB configuration name: seondebugd_continuous_write

When enabling this feature, the Seon debug daemon creates a debug log file (and starts the configured event script if existant) after the ring buffer is full. In this case, no message is lost.

Absolute path to logfile of Seon API

DB configuration name: seonapi_logfile

The Seon API, which is the background service for Seon Webaccess and Seon Proxy, logs into this file.

Seon API loglevel

DB configuration name: seonapi_loglevel

The above configured file will be written in the configured log level.

Suppress unsuccessful connect log entries?

DB configuration name: suppress_unsuccessful_connect_logs

If an incoming connection fails before OFTP handshake could be initiated, a logging entry is normally made in the style of:

unsuccessful connect try from IP 'aaa.bbb.ccc.ddd'

If you want to ignore these messages (i.e. when using a system monitoring which just watches if the TCP/IP port is open), enable this feature.


Partner table parameters

The main advantage of Seon is the configurable partner table definition. With this feature, you can set up Seon to use your partner definition table (or if using MySQL 5: even views are supported). With this feature, Seon is successfully connected to SWAN, for which also presets exist.

For easy administration, presets exist for the own Seon internal partner table setup (where all features of Seon are supported) and SWAN presets in the web interface.

File:Config-partnertable.png

partner table name

DB configuration name: partnerdb_tablename

This alphanumeric field describes the table name of your partners. All SQL statements will be done using this table. (Note: the defined tableprefix doesn't affect this table name!)

active column

DB configuration name: partnerdb_active

If your partner table schema support enabled and/or disabled entries, this column defines the availability of a partner. If a non-zero is found in this column, a partner is seen as "active", otherwise (in case of zero) as "inactive". "inactive" partner entries are not taken into account for license purpose.

If this column isn't configured, all entries are used as active entries.

invert 'active' behaviour to 'deleted' behaviour?

DB configuration name: partnerdb_active_invert

You may invert the behaviour of the optional 'active' flag above (i.e. by using its value as a 'deleted' flag). To enable this behaviour, activate this checkbox. In this case, only partners with a value of numeric zero in this column are interpreted as active partners.

partner index column

DB configuration name: partnerdb_index

Each partner needs a numeric value (big integer as a maximum data type) for identifying the partner internally. This number will be re-used in all other tables refering to a partner entry.

partner shortname column

DB configuration name: partnerdb_shortname

A partner must have a so called shortname, which will be referenced by all binaries. Also, the shortname is used in logs and displaying the send and receive queue. The maximum length of the field is 255 characters.

partner additional description column

DB configuration name: partnerdb_longname

Additional field used only in the partner list web interface of Seon. This settings has no effect to any daemon or program of Seon, it's just for free information. If set and the column exists, the content of this column is printed in the partner list.

partner's SSID column, partner's SFID column & partner's password column

DB configuration name: partnerdb_his_ssid, partnerdb_his_sfid & partnerdb_his_password

In order to identify an incoming connection, these columns will be used for authentification. Also, the send queue is using these columns if no alternative values are given. The maximum length of SSID and SFID is 25 characters, the password has a size of 8 characters.

partner's TCP/IP address column (IP or hostname) & partner's ISDN number column

DB configuration name: partnerdb_his_tcp_address

These columns are used for defining the TCP/IP hostname or IP address (for TCP/IP or ENX connections) or ISDN number for that partner. The columns can be the same. This (or these) column(s) are/is used also for identifying partners.

partner's TCP/IP port number column

DB configuration name: partnerdb_his_tcp_port & partnerdb_his_tcp_default_port

If a column exists which reflects the partner's TCP/IP port of the remote OFTP system, you can define it here. If it doesn't exist in your partner table, you can disable it by enabling the checkbox: the default value of 3305 will be used instead. If the row is defined and also the checkbox is active, the default value will be used.

partner's TCP/IP TLS port number column

DB configuration name: partnerdb_his_tcp_port_tls & partnerdb_his_tcp_default_port_tls

If a column exists which reflects the partner's TCP/IP TLS port of the remote OFTP system, you can define it here. If it doesn't exist in your partner table, you can disable it by enabling the checkbox: the default value of 6619 will be used instead. If the row is defined and also the checkbox is active, the default value will be used.

partner's ISDN number column

DB configuration name: partnerdb_his_isdn_number

Configure the column containing the ISDN number of the partner here. This may also be the same column as the TCP/IP address, Seon is clever enough to interpret this value on-the-fly.

column defining connection type (ISDN, TCP/IP or TCP/IP TLS secured)

DB configuration name: partnerdb_his_addresstype

In order to check if the remote system has a connection type of ISDN, TCP/IP (ENX) or TLS secured TCP/IP connection, you have to define a column which reflects this value. This is also important if the columns for TCP/IP address and ISDN number are the same.

value for connection type in above defined colum defining ISDN connection, value for connection type in above defined colum defining TCP/IP connection & value for connection type in above defined column defining TLS over TCP/IP connection

DB configuration name: partnerdb_his_connect_isdn_value, partnerdb_his_connect_tcp_value & partnerdb_his_connect_tcp_tls_value

The above configured column contains values defining which partner has a connection type of ISDN and which one uses TCP/IP or TLS secured TCP/IP. These numeric values define which value should be interpreted as an ISDN, TCP/IP or TCP/IP (TLS) connection type. The value must be unsigned integer, values 0-255.

my SSID column, my SFID colum & my password column

DB configuration name: partnerdb_my_ssid & partnerdb_my_default_ssid, partnerdb_my_sfid & partnerdb_my_default_sfid, partnerdb_my_password & partnerdb_my_default_password

In order to use different SSID, SFID and password for default authentification with a partner, you can define here columns which reflect your values. If your partner table doesn't support this type of columns, you can disable these ones with enabling the corresponding checkbox which will result in using the default values above. The Seon send queue daemon behaves the way that the alternative values in the send queue can overwrite these values (if set to a non NULL value).

partner's X.25 number column

DB configuration name: partnerdb_his_x25_number

Mostly french partners use non-default X.25 address for ISDN connections. Therefor, a column must be defined which reflects the X.25 address used during connections with these partners. If the value of the column is empty (NULL, an empty string or non-numeric), the value will not be used.

TCP/IP receive/send acceleration column

DB configuration name: partnerdb_tcpip_rec_accel_column & partnerdb_tcpip_rec_accel_use_defaults, partnerdb_tcpip_send_accel_column & partnerdb_tcpip_send_accel_use_defaults

This technique is used to accelerate TCP/IP transfers. If your partner doesn't like this type of acceleration (i.e. partners who use Seeburger products), you can define a column which reflects to use the acceleration or not. A value of zero („0“) means disabling the acceleration, non-zero means enabling this feature. If your partner table doesn't have such a feature column, you can disable it by using the default value. If the colum is defined and the checkbox for using default value is enabled, the default will be used.

Acceleration is incompatible with the following partner software solutions:

  • Seeburger WinElke
  • Bartsch Software

amount of parallel sendings

DB configuration name: partnerdb_parallel_sendings_column & partnerdb_parallel_sendings_use_defaults

The default amount of parallel sending processes can be defined per each partner seperately, if you define a table column here. The numerical value (integer) is used to open that many parallel connections. If not such a column is present, you can use the default value defined above (in the „daemon parameters“ section) by enabling the "use default" checkbox.

partner's OFTP version column

DB configuration name: partnerdb_used_oftp_version

This numeric column (float) must have the value „1“ for OFTPv1 partners of "2" for OFTP 2 partners. If no value is in the column, OFTPv1.4 will be used.

Seon interprets the following values of version encodings:

  • '1' -> OFTP 1.4, OFTP release coded value: 4
  • '1.0' -> OFTP 1, fallback of OFTP 1.4, OFTP release coded value: 4
  • '1.1' -> OFTP 1.1, OFTP release coded value: 1
  • '1.2' -> OFTP 1.2, OFTP release coded value: 1
  • '1.3' -> OFTP 1.3, OFTP release coded value: 2
  • '1.4' -> OFTP 1.4, OFTP release coded value: 4
  • '2' -> OFTP 2, OFTP release coded value: 5
  • '2.0' -> OFTP 2, OFTP release coded value: 5

Any other value will fallback to OFTP 1.4, coded value: 4

Protocol dependant support is:

OFTP version encoded release level datestamp timestamp maximum file size (bytes) cipher suite support NERP support
1.1 1 yymmdd HHMMSS 999999999999 no  yes
1.2 2 yymmdd HHMMSS 999999999999 no  yes
1.3 3 yymmdd HHMMSS 999999999999 no  yes
1.4 4 yyyymmdd HHMMSS 999999999999 no  yes
2 5 yyyymmdd HHMMSSCCCC 99999999999999999 yes  yes

partner's OFTP 2 cipher suite column

DB configuration name: partnerdb_used_oftp2_ciphersuite

The cipher suite used for outgoing files and connections is defined in this integer column. Valid values are 0-99.

partner's OFTP 2 compression column

DB configuration name: partnerdb_oftp2_compression

The compression algorithm for that partner for outgoing files is defined in this integer column. Valid values are zero („0“) or one („1“), but may vary on future implementations.

partner's OFTP 2 signing column

DB configuration name: partnerdb_oftp2_sign

partner's OFTP 2 encryption column

DB configuration name: partnerdb_oftp2_encrypt

partner's OFTP 2 secure authentification column

DB configuration name: partnerdb_oftp2_sec_auth

partner's OFTP 2 signed EERP/NERP column

DB configuration name: partnerdb_oftp2_req_sig_eerp

These numeric columns describes if a feature will be used for outgoing files to that partner (non-zero value) or not (zero value).

statistics: data size (in kB) sent to partner

DB configuration name: partnerdb_sent_kb

If you want a numerical statistic about how many data (in kB, say: 1024 octets), you have sent to a partner, the size of a transfered file will be added to the existing value in this column in the partner table. If you are not interested in direction statisticics, define the same value for this column and the next one (direction: received). Keep in mind to define a numeric type which is big enough to hold very big values.

statistics: data size (in kB) received from partner

DB configuration name: partnerdb_received_kb

If you want a numerical statistic about how many data (in kB, say: 1024 octets), you have received from a partner, the size of a transfered file will be added to the existing value in this column in the partner table. If you are not interested in direction statisticics, define the same value for this column and the previous one (direction: sent). Keep in mind to define a numeric type which is big enough to hold very big values.

Partner based switch for ISDN CAPI DATA B3 package confirmation column

DB configuration name: partnerdb_isdn_force_confirm_each_data_b3

This numeric interpreted column defines a switch which disables (value: 0) or enables (value: non-zero) the confirmation of ISDN CAPI DATA B3 packages per partner. This value overrides the globally defined value in "ISDN".

Partner based maximum amount of unconfirmed CAPI DATA B3 packages column

DB configuration name: partnerdb_max_capi_sliding_window_size

This numeric interpreted column defines a partner-based value of an amount of unconfirmed DATA B3 packages. Both your equipment, the telephone provider and the remote station must support that value (protocol maximum: 15; implementation dependant default maximum: 7; default: 5).

Partner based disable switch for confirmation of DATA B3 packages column

DB configuration name: partnerdb_isdn_dont_wait_for_data_b3_conf

If your communication partner doesn't send any DATA B3 confirmations at all and you send very small files, you can ignore the non-availability of these confirmation bit and enable to send constantly without waiting for confirmation. The numeric interpretation of this column disables (value: 0) or enables (value: non-zero) this functionality.

OFTP2 proxy reference column

DB configuration name: partnerdb_oftp2_proxy

In order to use an OFTP2 proxy for outgoing connections to this partner, a numeric reference column is needed for each partner. This numeric value references the specific Seon OFTP2 proxy.

OFTP2 proxy partner log level column

DB configuration name: partnerdb_oftp2_proxy_loglevel

For incoming OFTP2 connections over a proxy, the loglevel for both proxy server and proxy client are configurable, if the proxy setting "Validate communication partner via client certificate extension (URI)" is activated. The found partner, referenced via its SSID, must be existing unique in the partner table when using this option.

Enable substation support?

DB configuration name: partnerdb_substation_support

To enable OFTP substation support, this configuration value must be set to a non-zero value.

substation column

DB configuration name: partnerdb_substation

An OFTP substation, is used, is being referenced by the database index value in this column. So, a numeric value is interpreted here as the parent OFTP station.

specific OFTP2 TLS client certificate

DB configuration name: partnerdb_tls_client_cert

In order to support a different OFTP2 TLS client certificate for outgoing connections, this textual field contains a partner-based configuration for the absolute path of the file. The file must contain both the certificate and the private key without being password protected.

Partner's ISDN call user data

DB configuration name: partnerdb_isdn_call_user_data

If neccessary, a call user data ("CUD") field can be filled with specific values when calling a partner (he may route the ISDN call to a specific application via this information). If empty, this feature is disabled.

Specification column for sending V-Files

DB configuration name: partnerdb_send_vfiles

If configured, the column contains a numeric value for defining how sending V-files (files with a variable block size) should be treated. Valid values are:

  • 0: read maximum block
  • 1: split by newline character (\n)
  • 2: interpret variable MVS header

Specification column for receiving V-Files

DB configuration name: partnerdb_rec_vfiles

If configured, the column contains a numeric value for defining how receiving V-files (files with a variable block size) should be treated. Valid values are:

  • 0: no conversion
  • 1: append newlines character (\n)
  • 2: add variable MVS header

OFTP buffersize override column

DB configuration name: partnerdb_buffersize

If given, this column must contain a valid numeric integer value which corresponds to the OFTP buffersize used for this partner. This configuration works for both directions.

OFTP credit count override column

DB configuration name: partnerdb_creditcount

If given, this column must contain a valid numeric integer value which corresponds to the OFTP credit count used for this partner. This configuration works for both directions.


GUI

The GUI offers some parameters which influence the default behaviour.

ConfigGui.png

Send signals to running processes

DB configuration name: webgui_kill_processes

The PHP backend can send running processes a signal, i.e. for reloading their configuration (when clicking "Save") or cancelling transfer processes. If the webserver is not running on the same machine as the Seon daemons do, or if the webserver user is not privileged to send signals to running Seon processes (i.e. they are running in another user context), you should disable this checkbox, otherwise (which is the default) keep it activated for a seamless integration of GUI and backend.

Disable PID check of daemons

DB configuration name: disable_PID_checks

The Seonapi can check if daemons which should run with a given process ID really exist. If they don't exist, the Seonapi will cleanup running information (= their PIDs) in the database. This feature is available in Linux and MacOS, partially in AIX. If you get unwanted results, disable this feature.

Show partners with unknown medium

DB configuration name: display_partners_with_unknown_medium

Since the configurable partner database schema is highly configurable, many partner entries may have an unknown transmission medium configured (valid values are configurable for ISDN, unencrypted TCP/IP and encrypted TCP/IP aka. TLS). If this configuration option is enabled, all partners (even with unknown medium values) are displayed in the partner list.

Enable simple configuration

DB configuration name: simple_config_gui

In many installations, most complex situation are not needed for this installation. As a minimizer for unneeded configuration options, most uncommon configuration options are not visible when enabling this configuration option. Elements which are hidden when this config option is activated are:

  • Configuration:
    • TCP/IP
    • ISDN
    • Events
    • Daemon
    • OFTP2
    • Logging
    • Partner table
  • Programs:
    • Partner import
  • Cipher suites

Partner management for OFTP2 is also more easy, so a more or less incomplex system will be shown in order to allow non-common users to administrate the system well.

Deep integration / show admins of company via...

DB configuration name: deep_integration

In case of Seon Enterprise or SWAN configured as EDM system, the Seon web GUI can extract the information of the system administrator(s) of a given contact and show an informational window with contact details. If an address is given for a partner, a GoogleMaps integration is also available.

Min. age for expiration warning of certificates

DB configuration name: gui_cert_warning_days

The administrative web interface can show expiring certificate warnings and expired certificate errors in the tab "Welcome", section "Possible configuration problems". The configured amount of days are used for calculation which certificates to display.

Theme for administrative GUI

DB configuration name: gui_theme

The admin web interface supports the switch of the used theme for displaying information. You can switch the theme without saving dynamically. When saving this config, all subsequent calls to the web interface will switch to the configured theme.

Disable health check of database

DB configuration name: gui_disable_db_healthcheck

Disabling the database health check will not include database table checks in the section "Possible configuration option" in the "Welcome" tab of the administrative web interface. By disabling these checks, you can lower your database overhead massively.

Filtered filesystems from "Welcome" tab

The administrative web interface shows the filling state of all mounted filesystems, except the filesystems contained in the list of excluded filesystems. A filesystem can be exluded from the displayed list by clicking on the entry bar on the "Welcome" page, then answering "Yes" to the delete question. The deleted file system(s) are listed here in a grid, where they can be removed so the removed entry will be displayed again on the welcome page.

User own defined URLs

DB configuration name: use_own_defined_urls

If enabled, the menu on the left side in the administrative web interface will add an entry with a configured name (see below).

Name of entry

DB configuration name: own_defined_urls_menuentry_name

The name of the menu entry which contains user-defined URLs is changeable.

Own defined URLs

If enabled, the administrative web interface adds the possibility to configure a list of URLs for viewing within the administrative web interface as a closeable tabbed entry. The included URL is being integrated via an IFRAME, so if the integrated page doesn't allow this functionality (i.e. thorugh a META tag), the content will stay empty. Keep in mind that many popular dynamic sites don't allow this type of integration. Have a look into your JavaScript console if any errors occur.

Send queue displayed columns

The list of columns configure the default state of the columns when opening the send queue overview. The columns can be re-activated afterwards via the column header management.


GUI niceup parameters

This configuration section is obsolete and will be not supported for future versions of Seon. It is still included in this documentation because older versions may still be used which have this section included.


In order to make the Seon web interface more useful, some parameters can be defined to configure the web interface to your needs.

File:Config-gui.png

progressbar in send and rec queue will be displayed using the following media type

DB configuration name: progressbar_flash

You can select if you want to see the progress bar using plain HTML code (which needs a manual reload of the page to get the acual state) or a Flash based progress bar, which doesn't need a manual refresh of the page.

relative path in web interface for success soundfile & relative path in web interface for abort soundfile

DB configuration name: pgbar_sucess_soundfile & pgbar_abort_soundfile

If the progress bar is configured as Flash, you can define a sound file (valid formats: MP3, OGG or WAV) which will be played after a successful or unsuccessful file transfer. The file position is relative to the web interface!

lines per page

DB configuration name: lines_per_page

In order to support different display resolutions, you can define how many lines of results will be displayed on one page. This affects the partner administration and all logs.

truncate strings

DB configuration name: truncate_strings_length

To make send and receive queue more readable, you can define how many characters of a file will be displayed in the columns.

gray out (dim) send queue entries

DB configuration name: dim_out_sendq

If you enable this feature, send queue entries will become more and more gray the more send tries they have. Useful if you want to see which entries are old.

show hashes in xERP list

DB configuration name: show_hashes_in_web_interface

OFTP 2 supports file hashes in xERP messages. If you don't want to download them from the list and view them manually, Seon can display them in the xERP log directly as hexadecimal values.

show partners with unknown medium

DB configuration name: display_partners_with_unknown_medium

Escpecially useful for non-Seon partner table configuration. You can disable the occurance of partners in the partners list with unknown media types.

progressbar refresh time

DB configuration name: progressbar_refresh_webinterface

In order to lower database traffic, the time interval for progress information retrieval is configurable for the Flash progress bar plugin separately.

enable automatic reload of send queue overview

DB configuration name: sendq_auto_reload

A dynamic countdown is displayed for entries in the send queue which are in the state "taken by send queue". In order to reload the complete send queue overview when such entries reach an active state, enable this checkbox.

locale used in date formatting

DB configuration name: locale

All listings containing dates (year, month, day, hour, minute and seconds) are being displayed via this locale setting. This influences Seon administrative web interface only.

only show active partners in logs

DB configuration name: only_show_active

If the partner table configuration contains a column for 'active' entries and this check is enabled, only active partners will be shown in receive logs, send logs and xERP logs.

reload send queue

DB configuration name: webgui_reload_sendq

If a value greater than zero i configureds here, the send queue overview (web GUI) will be reloaded every configured amount of seconds if it is empty.

reload receive queue

DB configuration name: webgui_reload_recq

If a value greater than zero is configured here, the receive queue overview (web GUI) will be reloaded every configured amount of seconds if it is empty.

reload poll queue

DB configuration name: webgui_reload_pollq

If a value greater than zero is configured here, the poll queue overview (web GUI) will be reloaded every configured amount of seconds.

reload OFTP2 offline queue

DB configuration name: webgui_reload_offlineq

If a value greater than zero is configured here, the OFTP2 offline queue overview (web GUI) will be reloaded every configured amount of seconds.


display render time?

DB configuration name: display_render_time

Enabling this feature prints out rendering times on the webserver for this overview at the bottom of each page.

deep integration into

DB configuration name: deep_integration

Seon is integretable into different EDM systems. In order to get the maximum out of that database connection, it's possible to active a "deep integration" functionality, where the logs and queues will have extended functionalities for partner information. Possible values are:

  • SWAN3.1: for SWAN 2.0 up to version 3.1
  • SWAN3.2: for SWAN 3.2 and upcoming 3.4
  • none: no special integration logic

send signals to running processes

DB configuration name: webgui_kill_processes

This configuration parameter is mainly disabled for more complex installations of Seon. If you don't have Seon installed on the web server (or other way round: the web server is not the Seon server) you don't want to send signals for transfer interruption or configuration reloading. In some cases, it could be harmful if the web server sends signals to processes with the ID given in the Seon database since the local processes would not match the local ones (so the wrong process receives a signal if the user running the web server has the permission to do that).

Enabling this feature is strictly recommended for local installations and for SeonBoxes.

This influences:

  • reloading of the configuration for all running Seon processes if the configuration has been changed via web GUI
  • stopping transfers immediately in the send and receive queue

default sort order for send queue

DB configuration name: sendq_default_orderby

The default sort order for send queue overview is configurable via this configuration. The variable carries the column name which will then be sorted by.

default sort order for receive queue

DB configuration name: recq_default_orderby

The default sort order for receive queue overview is configurable via this configuration. The variable carries the column name which will then be sorted by.

disable PHP configuration problems

DB configuration name: disable_PHP_config_problems

Since 2008-11-17, Seon's administrative web interface may display PHP configuration problems. In order to keep things working, you should set the configuration settings to appropriate values. If everything is working fine even when using misconfigured values (use this config at your own risk!) you may disable the display of these configuration problems globally by activating this checkbox.

disable PID check of daemons

DB configuration name: disable_PID_checks

The Seon web interface can check the existance of Seon daemons running on the same host as the web interface does. If this check fails and a non-running process is being found for a daemon which is configured in the database, the web interface will reset this process ID (PID) in the database so starting the daemon is easily possible.

This behaviour may be unwanted in distributed or more complex environments, so this feature can be disabled by activating this checkbox.


other interesting configurable values

Some values are not configurable via web interface, but also have a useful meaning when running Seon. These configuration value names are:

  • seonclientd_port: TCP/IP port of the program Seon client daemon
  • webinterface_path: Absolute path of the web interface on the webserver. This is useful for upgrading processes in order to update the path correctly.