weex - Online in the Cloud

PROGRAM:

NAME

weex - fast WEb EXchanger non-interactive FTP and FTPS client

SYNOPSIS

weex [ Options ] HOSTID [HOSTID...]

DESCRIPTION

weex is a utility designed to automate the task of remotely maintaining a web page or
other FTP or FTPS archive. With weex , the maintainer of a web site or archive that must
be administered through FTP/FTPS interaction can largely ignore that process. The archive
administrator simply creates a local directory that serves as an exact model for the
offsite data. All modifications and direct interaction is done locally to this directory
structure. When the administrator wishes to coordinate the data on the remote site with
that of the local model directory, simply executing weex accomplishes this in the most
bandwidth-efficient fashion by only transferring files that need updating. The program
will create or remove files or directories as necessary to accurately establish the local
model on the remote server.

The mandatory HOSTID argument is the user-defined name that represents a particular FTP
account or configuration specified in the ~/.weexrc file. This file, the contents of which
are described below, can alternatively be named ~/.weex/weexrc. Multiple HOSTID arguments
to a single weex command are supported to affect multiple archives or configurations in
immediate succession. In addition, the actual HOSTID can be substituted with the number
representing its relative sequential position in the ~/.weexrc file (the first HOSTID
definition is 1, and so on).

OPTIONS

Options at the command line take precedence over any specified in the configuration file.

-d, --debug-config
Outputs the configuration of each hosts.

-D, --debug-ftplib
Outputs messages from/to FTP server.

-f, --force
If the caching mechanism is inhibiting the uploading of files that should be
transferred, this option will force the actual transfer to always occur.

-h, --help
Outputs a usage summary to stdout.

-m, --monochrome
The default mode generates a helpful color coding based on the operation being
performed. This option suppresses that.

-r, --rebuild-cache
If cache file is broken, use this to rebuild it.

-s, --silent
The default mode outputs a helpful status message for each action taken, including
file transfer progress meters. This mode suppresses output.

-t, --test
Weex doesn't modify any remote files/directories.

-V, --version
Prints the version of the weex program.

CONFIGURATION FILE

Because this program is meant to be non-interactive, a properly set up configuration file
is essential. weex looks for this file either in ~/.weexrc or ~/.weex/weexrc.

The general format of the configuration file is a bracketed section heading followed by
parameters that define that section's configuration. This section name is what is provided
to weex at run time to indicate the FTP arrangement you wish to update. A parameter is
only valid for the most recent section heading that preceded it. The exception to this is
the [default] section which creates settings for unspecified parameters in every section.
In the case of parameters that accept multiple values, the default section augments any
specifically designated values.

Lines that begin with the '#' character are safely ignored as comments. Neither section
names nor parameter variables are case sensitive in any way. Section names can not begin
with numbers. Some parameters can be assigned multiple values. Where this is not possible,
the last value is used. To quote special characters, use single quotes (') or double
quotes ("). To quote a particular quote symbol, use the other quote. The general syntax
format for the configuration file is:

[hostid1]
Parameter1 = Value
# First method for multiple values
Parameter2 = Value
Parameter2 = Value
...

[hostid2]
Parameter1 = Value
# Second method for multiple values
Parameter2 = {
Value
Value
}
...

[default]
Parameter = Value
...

PARAMETER LIST

These parameters are used to define the properties of a particular host configuration
named in brackets. When specifying directory names, the trailing "/" is optional. Also,
both files and directories (except SrcDir and DestDir) can be specified with shell
wildcards. When specifying files, if a file or file pattern is given without a path, it
is assumed to be available when encountered in any directory. If it is an explicitly
specified path/file combination, the configuration is available in that directory.
Files/directories except `SrcDir' and `DestDir' can be specified as both absolute path and
relative path. But you must specify `SrcDir' and `DestDir' as absolute path. When you
want to specify `/public_html/ignoreme.html' as relative path, you should specify
`./ignoreme.html' rather than `ignoreme.html'. When specifying binary states, you may use
any of the following: True/False, Yes/No, T/F, 1/0. None are case sensitive.

AsciiFile
Filename patterns that will be transferred using ASCII mode. The default mode for
files not specified in this way is IMAGE(BINARY) mode.

AuthorizationName
If you are using an FTP proxy server that requires challenge/response authorization
with the nonstandard AUTHORIZE and RESPONSE commands, set this parameter to your
authorization user name (or number). After logging in to the proxy, weex will
prompt you with the challenge and read back a response.

ChangePermission
The access permissions of the files in the directories specified with
ChangePermissionDir are changed to this parameter. The format is a three digit
octal number.

ChangePermissionDir
Files in directories assigned to this parameter will have their access permissions
changed after sending. Specify local directories.

ChdirAtConnection
Set `true' to change remote current working directory to DestDir at connection. If
remote current working directory at connection is DestDir, weex runs faster a bit
by setting this parameter to `false'. Default is `true'.

ConvToLower
If set to `true', the filenames are converted to lower case before sending. This
feature allows interaction with FTP servers that do not support case sensitive
filenames. If a naming conflict arises due to a lower case name already existing,
an error occurs. Furthermore, the cache is totally unaware of original uppercase
filenames.

DestDir
Destination directory on the remote FTP server where the mirrored information will
be sent. This setting corresponds to the "pwd" command on traditional FTP clients.

Force If the caching mechanism is inhibiting the uploading of files that should be
transferred, this option will force the actual transfer to always occur if set to
`true'.

FollowSymlinks
Set `true' to follow symbolic links. Default is `false'. Symbolic link of
directory assumes a file whose size is 0 byte at default.

FtpPassive
When it is `false', weex uses port mode instead of passive mode. If the FTP server
doesn't support passive mode, specify `false'. (It may make transfer slower)
Default is `true'. (See also FAQ)

HostName
Hostname to connect to. The "ftp://" protocol specifier is implied and shouldn't be
used. An IP address is also valid and may save lookup time.

IgnoreLocalDir
This parameter contains one or more protected local directories that are completely
ignored during the transfer process. This is useful if you want to have
subdirectories that are part of a project but don't need to be in the final, online
version (i.e., old versions).

IgnoreLocalFile
This parameter contains one or more protected local file specifiers that will be
completely ignored during the transfer process.

IgnoreRemoteDir
This parameter contains one or more protected remote directories that are
completely ignored during the transfer process. This is useful if you want to have
other material on the remote FTP site that is not related to the specific project
that weex is dealing with. This could include, for example, data administered
through a different FTP client or process.

IgnoreRemoteFile
This parameter contains one or more protected remote file specifiers that will be
completely ignored during the transfer process.

KeepRemoteDir
In their directories, files are not removed when they don't exist in the local
directory.

LogDetailLevel
It specifis how detail level weex records a log at. Connection and disconnection
message and error messages are always recorded. When weex finishes working
correctly, it writes `Complete' previous disconnection message. If 1 or less,
records each connection. If 2, records each directory. If 3 or more, records each
file manipulated Default is 1.

LoginName
Login name of the account on the FTP server.

MaxRetryToSend
When weex fails in sending a file, it retry to send the file. The maximum times of
retrying is this parameter. Default is 8. Specify -1 to stop retrying.

Monochrome
The default mode generates a helpful color coding based on the operation being
performed. A `true' setting suppresses that.

NestSpaces
An integer that controls the indent spacing of the output. The default is 4. If
you want to suppress it, specify -1. If you specify 0, weex uses 4. :-)

OverwriteOK
If the FTP server has trouble overwriting files, set this parameter to `false', and
each file will be deleted before a new version is put in place.

Password
Plaintext password granting access to the account. Note that this file uses no
special facilities to safeguard passwords. Make sure that the file permissions of a
configuration file containing passwords are set conservatively. If they are not, a
warning will be issued at execution. If this parameter is not found, weex asks for
it on the terminal.

PreservePermissionDir
The access permissions of the files in directories assigned to this parameter will
be copied to remote. Specify *local* directories.

RecordLog
When `true', weex create a log.

RenameOK
If this parameter is set to `true', each file is uploaded under the temporary name
`weex.tmp', then renamed to its correct name only if the upload succeeds. This
avoids the problem of a user getting an incomplete file if he downloads from your
Web site while you are uploading to it, and of incomplete files being uploaded if
your FTP connection breaks while weex is running . The default is `false' since
some FTP servers might not support renaming.

ShowHiddenFile
Set `true' to get hidden files (starting with a dot) on FTP server which doesn't
show hidden files by default. Default is `false'.

Silent The default mode outputs a helpful status message for each action taken, including
file transfer progress meters. A `true' setting suppresses output.

SrcDir Top of the source directory tree containing the local copy of the information to be
mirrored. This setting corresponds to the "lcd" command on traditional FTP clients.

UseSSL If set to `true' use FTPS instead of FTP. Explicit AUTH SSL is used to encrypt the
FTP session. If it is not supported by the server, weex exits.

UseSSLVerify
Verify the server certificate. Abort if the verification fails. Defaults to `true'.

UseSSLcafile
Path to the file containing CA certificates, for SSL certificate verification. If
not specified, defaults to /etc/ssl/certs/ca-certificates.crt.

EXAMPLES

Here is an example of what a typical .weexrc file might look like:

#-=-=-=-=-=Sample Configuration file=-=-=-=-=-
# My favorite FTP account...
[Ninja]
HostName = ftp.ninja-rights.org
LoginName = chrisxed
Password = '"mYsEcReT!"'
SrcDir = /home/chrisxed/project/weex
DestDir = /
ASCIIfile = *.c
IgnoreLocalDir = /home/chrisxed/project/weex/weex.devel
IgnoreLocalDir = /home/chrisxed/project/weex/weex.old
IgnoreLocalFile = notes2myself.txt
IgnoreRemoteDir = /offsitearchive/

# Another FTP account...
[Veggie]
HostName = ftp.vegetable-advocacy.com
LoginNAME = waxedbean
Password = "X'sBean"
SrcDir = /home/chrisxed/project/legumes
DestDir = /souppot/

# Global configuration settings
[default]
AsciiFile = {
*.htm
*.html
*.txt
*.asc
}
IgnoreLocalFile = {
*.bak
*.tmp
*.swp
}

With a configuration like this, executing:

$ weex Ninja

would cause the file system assigned to SrcDir to be completely mirrored on the remote
server. Executing:

$ weex ninja veggie

would cause the FTP update to occur for the "Ninja" configuration and then for the
"Veggie" configuration. This could also be specified like this:

$ weex 1 2

NOTES

Timestamp Cache Facility

weex implements a cache of file timestamps from Ver 1.6.0. This makes updating much
faster when you have a lot of files. In addition, weex also caches directory structure
and file names from Ver 2.5.0. So never slow transfer even if you have many directories
and files. If, however, you change the remote files with another FTP client or running
weex is killed or weex is terminated by an error, the cache file will not be correct. The
simple solution to this problem is to remove the cache file (located in
~/.weex/weex.cache.HOSTNAME ) completely or to run weex with option --rebuild-cache.

Tested Operating Systems

Debian GNU/Linux 2.1
Red Hat Linux 5.1/5.2/6.0/6.1J
SuSE Linux 6.1/6.2/6.3
Linux Mandrake 6.1
FreeBSD(98) 3.0-RELEASE
FreeBSD 3.3-RELEASE
Solaris 2.5.1

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