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MFT Agent installation

What is it?​

The MFT Agent installation procedure sets up the OpCon MFT Agent on a Windows server and connects it to an OpCon environment so that file transfer jobs can be scheduled and executed.

  • Use this when performing a new installation of the OpCon MFT Agent on a server
  • Use this when upgrading an existing OpCon MFT Agent to a newer version
  • After installation, the agent must be configured in Solution Manager and authenticated before file transfer jobs can run

The OpCon MFT environment consists of an OpCon MFT Agent and the SMAMftAgentProxy, which provides the communication link between OpCon and the OpCon MFT Agent. The SMAMftAgentProxy is contained within the SMANetCom environment and is installed automatically when the core OpCon component is installed.

There is a one-to-one relationship between an OpCon environment and an OpCon MFT Agent due to the authentication token used between them.

OpCon MFT Agent installation​

The OpCon MFT Agent software can be downloaded using the OpCon Web Installer. It is listed as SMA OpConMFT under the Agents section. The software currently has a download option only. Once downloaded, the installer can be started manually outside the OpCon Web Installer.

The agent installation consists of running the installer program and accepting the license agreement. After the installation, if a system restart is required, restart the system.

Retrieve the OpCon MFT Agent port number​

After the restart, retrieve the port number for communication with OpCon. This port number was automatically configured during the installation process.

To retrieve the port number, complete the following steps:

  1. Select the OpConMFT n.nn menu item and then select OpConMFT n.nn Configurator. The Configurator opens.
  2. Select the Scheduler option from the tree view, then select Scheduler Settings. The port number is displayed in the UI Port field.

Enable SSL/TLS​

The connection between OpCon and the OpCon MFT Agent requires an HTTPS connection instead of the default HTTP connection. To enable SSL/TLS, complete the following steps:

  1. In the Configurator, select the TLS Certificates option from the tree view and select Create.

  2. Enter the certificate information:

    FieldDescription
    City/TownEnter the name of your city or town
    OrganizationEnter the name of your organization
    State/Province/RegionEnter the name of your region
    Common NameEnter a name for the certificate (for example, OpConMFTxxx where xxx is a unique value if you have more than one OpCon MFT Agent)
    CountryEnter the name of your country
    UnitEnter the name of your unit within your organization
    PasswordEnter a password to associate with the certificate
    Verify PasswordRe-enter the password
    E-mail AddressEnter a valid email address to associate with the certificate

  3. Select Create Self Signed to create a self-signed certificate, or select Create Signing Request to produce information for purchasing a certificate from a CA.

  4. On the Scheduler Settings screen, select the Use SSL/TLS option.

  5. Select the browse option next to the Use SSL/TLS field and select the self-signed certificate you created or a certificate you imported.

    OpCon MFT Agent Scheduler Settings Tab

Define the email SMTP server connection​

The OpCon MFT Agent can be configured to send notifications. To enable notifications, complete the following steps:

  1. Select the OutBound Email (SMTP) option from the tree view and select the Add button.

    OpCon MFT Agent Notifications Server

  2. Set the required options to configure the connection to the SMTP service:

    FieldDescription
    Site NameEnter a name to identify the SMTP connection
    Server URL / IP AddressEnter the address of the SMTP service
    Server PortAdjust the port number if required (default is 25)
    UserId / PasswordEnter credentials for the SMTP service
    No TLS / Explicit TLS / Implicit TLSSelect the TLS option for the SMTP service
    FromEnter the name to use as the sender for all notifications from the OpCon MFT Agent
    Send ToEnter a recipient address to use when the Test button is selected

  3. Select the Test button to send a test message. If the connection fails, the software tests various TLS and port options to find a valid connection.

  4. Once changes are complete, restart the OpConMFT service.

note

After the OpCon MFT Agent is installed, a new token value is available for download for a limited time. If the OpCon MFT Agent configuration in OpCon is not completed within this window, an error indicates that the token is not available. If this occurs, generate a new token by selecting the Reset Auth Token Deadline button on the Scheduler Settings tab of the OpConMFT Configurator.

OpCon MFT Agent configuration​

The configuration of the OpCon MFT Agent is completed using Solution Manager. To configure the agent, complete the following steps:

  1. In Solution Manager, select Library and under the Administration menu select Agents.

    OpCon MFT Agent View

  2. Select + Add to configure a new OpCon MFT Agent.

  3. Enter a name for the agent and select OpConMFT from the Machine Type list.

  4. Select the General Settings tab and enter the address information, the Max Concurrent Jobs value, and the Socket Number (the UI Port number retrieved from the OpCon MFT Agent Scheduler Settings tab).

    OpCon MFT Agent Settings

  5. Select the Save button.

  6. Select the Communications Settings tab and enter the JORS Port Number, which is the same port number used in the General Settings tab.

  7. Select the Save button.

  8. Go to the Operational Agents screen and select the created OpCon MFT Agent. The AgentSelection tab is displayed, which includes an Authentication button.

  9. Select the Authentication button. A successful authentication message is displayed. The OpCon MFT Agent can then be started.

note

There is a timeout of 100 seconds between completing the OpCon MFT Agent installation and performing the initial authentication step. If this is not completed within that time, the following message is displayed: Unable to update authentication token for machine — The request was cancelled due to the configured HttpClient.Timeout of 100 seconds. When this occurs, reset the auth token deadline and re-authenticate using the Reset Auth Token Deadline button.

MFT Agent upgrade​

Updating the OpCon MFT Agent requires careful preparation to avoid communication issues. To upgrade the agent, complete the following steps:

  1. Back up the configuration files. In the installation directory (default: C:\Program Files\OpConMFT 3.13), open the programdata folder and copy config.xml and SchedulerService.sqlite to a safe location. A server snapshot is also recommended as an additional restore point.
  2. Confirm that no OpCon MFT jobs are currently running.
  3. Stop the OpCon MFT Agent communication to prevent new job executions during the upgrade.
  4. Stop the Windows OpCon MFT services.
  5. Run the installer for the latest version and confirm it finishes correctly and replaces the existing version.
  6. Start the services and confirm that the MFT web UI is accessible from both the MFT server and the OpCon server.
  7. Reconnect the agent in OpCon. The agent should authenticate automatically.
  8. If authentication does not succeed automatically, select the Reset Auth Token Deadline button on the Scheduler Settings tab of the OpConMFT Configurator and re-authenticate.

FAQs​

What happens if I miss the 100-second authentication window after installation?

Select the Reset Auth Token Deadline button on the Scheduler Settings tab of the OpConMFT Configurator to make a new token available. Then re-authenticate from Solution Manager using the Authentication button on the Operational Agents screen.

Can I have more than one OpCon MFT Agent in the same OpCon environment?

Yes. Each OpCon MFT Agent has a one-to-one relationship with an OpCon environment via its authentication token, but you can configure multiple agents, each with its own machine definition in Solution Manager.

What port does the OpCon MFT Agent use to communicate with OpCon?

The port number is configured during installation and displayed in the UI Port field on the Scheduler Settings tab of the OpConMFT Configurator. This value must be entered as the Socket Number and JORS Port Number when configuring the agent in Solution Manager.

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