FAQ 2233: Hosted Environment and File Explorer (Backdoor)

Problem: How can we easily add portable copies into the hosted environment? For that matter, how can we add or move files back and forth from our own drives?

Solution: Short Video Explainer: https://asc-net.wistia.com/s/cy4s68uwnl6o5m3 Download the Pdf from the CSC labeled Hosted_FileExplorer_Backdoor.pdf this will give you visual screenshots, most of the instructions follow here. Hosted Environment - Navigate File Explorer through a backdoor Moving Files into Hosted Environment from your own shared Drives Learn how to move files in and out of the ASC environment using ASC in the hosted environment. The best approach is to treat the external file view window as a File Explorer entrance and not attempt to open files directly through the Ascript interface. The process of moving files from the personal C drive to the ASC NDM folder on the Hosted's M drive, emphasis on the importance of zipping files before transfer and using the "Extract All" function to decompress them in the target location. Note that files brought in from outside the hosted environment experience longer processing times because each file must be analyzed for safety and security, while files already in the hosted environment transfer much more quickly. How To: • Use the ASC hosted environment to move files in and out by zipping files externally and copying them into the M drive (specifically the NDM temp folder) for quicker access and processing. Consider Ascript as a backdoor into allowing access to "All File Types". • Plan Ahead by using the external File Explorer on your own computer to zip and manage files before transferring them into the ASC environment. This avoids you from having to copy/paste many files instead you can drop or extract from one file. Summary ASC Environment Navigation Demonstration Navigate the ASC environment, focusing on moving files in and out using the hosted environment. Open a plan and start the Ascript program, including selecting the option to create a New import of employee data. After selecting Open/Edit you will see File Explorer, on the bottom right, change the file type to “all files” treating the file window properly to view all files effectively. Caution - do not select a file and proceed to click on the OPEN button because you are using Ascript as a tool, not for its intended purpose in this scenario of opening a file to import. Use this window as a way to explore the drives and contents but if you accidentally click on Open, then click on the Back button of cancel out of Ascript. File Management Process Discussion The process of zipping and moving files, if important as we cannot zip files from our own Hosted environment therefore you need to use your own File Explorer ahead of time and zip the files to avoid the need of copying and pasting 13 files. Locate and copy files to a downloads folder or a familiar folder that you can locate quickly. File Compression and Transfer Process Compressing and transfer files, specifically by zipping a file and move it to the NDM temp folder. The steps involve copying, pasting, and extracting the zipped file, including handling file extensions and selecting extraction options. File Management System Improvements Unzipping files and pasting them directly into the Hosted system eliminates the delay of the system reading each file and confirming it is secure during the portable copy process. Main ASC menu - Access Ascript Click New, importing Employee data and Next, Click on Open File Here is a possible view of the file Explorer in the Hosted environment, ASCApp is on the M: drive. On the bottom right, change the file type to All Files. CAUTION - do not click on Open. Instead - use this window as a way to explore, click into your drive and copy/paste into the M: drive on ASC Hosted Environment. In this area - you are able to slide and drop files - just remember this is an apples to apples transfer, you cannot slide and drop files from your own file explorer window, you may only work within this window for moving files that are visible. Notice, I was able to drop the zip file of D18013 from my own drive labeled C_OS(F:) Downloads into the Home Folder because I am staying within this scope - I cannot open another explorer window and slide from my own C - it must be the redirected C_OS(F:) drive as this is shared and recognized by the Hosted Environment. When leaving ASC, be sure to close the opened plan, Close or End ASC and then End Session on the Application Launcher. If you intend to log back in soon (i.e. next hour or so), use Disconnect to allow you to have a quicker re-entry to ASC Hosted Environment. But remember, always End your Session to allow your co-workers access as a user.