Attachments package
The Attachments package stores record attachments on an external server instead of in the HCL Compass database.
Over time, both disk space requirements and HCL Compass performance can be affected by storing an increasing number of record attachments in the HCL Compass database. Instead, you can store attachments on an external server. Storing attachments outside of the HCL Compass database provides the following benefits:
- Ability to store large objects outside the HCL Compass database by replacing the objects with a URL reference
- Relief from the performance degradation that results from having a large number of objects attached to HCL Compass records
- Relief from the network overhead of replicating and synchronizing many large objects in a HCL Compass MultiSite deployment
When external attachments are enabled, the Attachments tab has the following two read-only fields:
- Click on this URL to view attachments stored on external server
- Contains a URL link to the external location where the attachments are stored. When you click the link, the attachment opens in a web browser. If a URL exists in this field, it indicates that the record has an attachment.
- External Storage Error Text
- Used by the external storage server to display an error message if a problem occurs while processing attachments.
The external storage server
The server that you use to store attachments must support creating and reading files and directories. It should not support renaming or deleting files and directories. When attachments are stored on an external server, HCL Compass no longer manages the attachments. The attachments must be managed by tools that are on the external server. For example, you cannot use HCL Compass to delete an attachment that is on a server. You must use external file management tools, such as an FTP client, to delete the attachment.
When the FTP server is not running, there is a 50 character limit on the length of the attached file name and the file description.