Why can't I transfer a large file to certain hosts.

[thechudster]

In my job, I transfer upgrade files to hundreds of hosts. This is automated through scripts, except when a host fails to receive the files. Then I sent the upgrade manually. Only some hosts have this, issue, and it is every time I try.

Why would a large file fail to transfer to certain hosts but not others? I use "rcp" to send the file. If anyone can help, you might save me a lot of work.

 

[Annihilannic]

Do the scripts log their output anywhere? It would be helpful if you could capture the error code and/or error message returned by rcp.

How large is 'large'? Annihilannic.

 

[thechudster]

A big part of my problem is that whoever set these boxes up didn't include logging for this sort of thing. I searched all day yesterday for any log file, and can't find one.

I am able to rcp off the command line the same file (approx 4 MB) but when the exact same command is part of a Unix shell script, it dies.

I just thought of this, the box I send from is a Sun box, the destination is SCO. But again, I can't understand why I can send from the command line, but not as part of a script, and only to certain hosts.

 

[pmcmicha]

Why don't you add this to the beginning of those scripts if it is ksh:

exec 1>> SOME_LOG_NAME_HERE
exec 2>> SAME_LOG_NAME_HERE

If the scripts are not ksh, then what are they written in?

 

[thechudster]

I did as you suggested. The message I get back is the same as I was getting to standard output, that the connection timed out.

 

[Annihilannic]

Can you post the fragment of the script that does the rcp and we can see if there's anything obvious. Annihilannic.

 

[thechudster]

Here is the portion of the script that first creates a directory for a zipped file, then copies the file into that directory. Note that $x is a hostnme gotten from a file with a list of hosts (so I can send to many hosts without individually entering their names), and $updir is a predefined directory that gets created.

###############################################################################
# Start by creating a directory to place upgrade stuff:
###############################################################################
echo "Creating UPGRADE update directory on "$x
/usr/bin/remsh $x /bin/mkdir $updir
if [ "$?" != "0" ]
then
echo "FAILURE : Creating upgrade directory on $x"
echo $x >> $source$error
continue
fi
/usr/bin/remsh $x /bin/chmod 777 $updir

###############################################################################
# Now send the UPGRADE.Z file
###############################################################################
echo "sending updates to "$x
rcp ${source}UPGRADE.Z $x:$updir/121050.Z
if [ "$?" != "0" ]
then
echo "FAILURE : Sending files to $x"
echo $x >> $source$error
continue

 

[pmcmicha]

Is the following true:

If filename is not a full path name, it is interpreted relative to
your home directory on hostname. A path on a remote host may be quoted
(using ``\'', ``"'', or ``''') so that the metacharacters are
interpreted remotely.

rcp does not prompt for passwords; your current local user name must
exist on hostname and allow remote command execution by rsh(1tcp).

 

[UkWizard]

I presume this is file is copied to the hosts, one at a time, and not simultaneously.

If its run simultaneously, you may choke the network connections, especially if its remote sites !!.


Just a thought,

Regards
UkWizard.