Notes on Moving Binary Files

Several procedures published on these web pages require you to download files in binary from your VM system or to upload files in binary to your VM system. On this web page we go over some important points to remember when moving files.

By binary files we mean files such as images (JPGs, GIFs), files packed by COPYFILE, and VMARC archives.

Downloading from VM

Always use your download tool's binary transfer mode.
- For a line-mode FTP client, this means issuing the command "binary" before doing the file transfer.
- For IBM Personal Communications 3270 file transfers, in the "Receive Files from Host" window, select transfer type "binary".

Uploading to VM

Always use your upload tool's binary transfer mode.
- For a line-mode FTP client, this means issuing the command "binary" before doing the file transfer.
- For IBM Personal Communications 3270 file transfers, in the "Send Files to Host" window, select transfer type "binary".
Avoid your tool's LRECL and RECFM options, because often they will introduce padding bytes into your file. Most tools offer you a way to upload something they will usually call a "variable record format file". That's what you want to use.

Checking for Success

If you can upload a .jpg file from your PC to VM, and then download the VM file to your PC, and your two PC files compare exactly, you have mastered the upload and download procedure.

A Lot More About FTP and CMS Files

There's more to FTP and CMS files than meets the eye. For the back story, read here.