In distributed environments, distributed file synchronization can be set up.  For example, if a form is developed on Server1, there are specific files the form might use, such as JavaScript and CSS files. If the same form is accessed from another server, these JavaScript and CSS files must be available. The DFS-distributed file synchronization service will automatically synchronize these files between servers.

For distributed file synchronization, ensure that distributed environments are turned on under the Status—Status—Distributed menu. 

Distributed file system connectors.

Distributed file system connectors provide access and storage to files and folders.  

By default, FlowWright uses the file system connector.  But FlowWright ships with the following DFS connectors:

• Azure file system connector
• Azure blog connector
• Database connector
• File system connector

FlowWright recommends using a distributed connector, such as the database or the Azure connector, in distributed environments involving multiple servers.  Database and Azure connectors use centralized storage that multiple distributed servers can access to access files and folders. 

DFS connectors can be managed using the following UI. 

You'll need to navigate to the Administration - Distributed File Storage Connector menu option. 

Create a DFS Connector.

This function lets you create the DFS Connector. 

On the DFS Connector page, select the Actions - Create menu option. 

A popup window displays for configuration. You must provide the connector name, namespace, and DLL path information as below. Click the Validate button. 

The connector configuration is validated, and a confirmation message is displayed in the top right-end corner. 

Click on the Create button to confirm. The new auth provider is added to the list, and a confirmation message is displayed in the top right-end corner. 

Edit DFS Connector.

This function lets you edit the DFS Connector. 

On the DFS Connector page, select the connector from the table and click the Actions - Edit menu option. 

A popup window is displayed with the configuration. You may make the necessary changes by clicking the Validate button. 

A confirmation message will appear in the top right-end corner. Click the Update button.

The connector changes are updated, and a confirmation message is displayed in the top right-end corner.

Copy DFS Connector.

This function lets you make a copy of the DFS Connector. 

On the DFS Connector page, select the connector from the table and click the Actions - Copy menu option. 

A popup window for configuration appears. You must provide the new file name and click the Copy button to initiate. 

A copy of the DFS connector is created, and a confirmation message is displayed in the top right-end corner. You may edit this connector and validate it again to check its functions. 

Remove DFS Connector.

This function lets you permanently remove the DFS Connector. 

On the DFS Connector page, select the connector from the table and click the Actions - Remove menu option. 

Click OK to confirm. 

The selected connector is removed permanently, and a confirmation message is displayed in the top right-end corner. 

Export DFS Connector - XML/SQL.

This function lets you export the DFS Connector configuration as an XML and SQL files. The Import function can configure the XML on the target FlowWright environments.   

On the DFS Connector page, select the connector from the table and click the Export - XML menu option. The XML file is generated and downloaded to the local folder. 

The XML content is included here for you to look over. 

On the DFS Connector page, select the connector from the table and click the Export - SQL menu option. The SQL file is generated and downloaded to the local folder. 

The SQL content is included here for you to look over. This SQL syntax is executed on the target FlowWright database to create a DFS Connector. 

Import DFS Connector - XML.

This function lets you import the DFS Connector configuration as an XML file.

On the DFS Connector page, click the Import - XML menu option. 

A popup window appears for configuration. Choose the XML file from the local download folder and click the Import button. 

The DFS Connector is imported (or overwrites the existing configuration), and a confirmation message is displayed in the top right-end corner. 

Creating a custom DFS connector.

A custom DFS connector can be built and configured within FlowWright. A sample of how to build such a connector is provided within the FlowWright help section.  Use the following menu to access the DFS connector walkthrough: