File Comparison

Use the File Comparison utility to compare snapshot (snapshot.xml) files or two text (*.txt) files uploaded from an asset. This utility is available only from the Uploaded Files module of the Asset dashboard in the Axeda® Service application. As long as you have privileges to this utility and to the asset, you can run this utility.

To run the utility:

1.       In the Uploaded Files module of the Asset dashboard, click File Comparison to display this window.

2.       From the Type list, select the type of the files you want to compare, Text or Snapshot. This selection determines the content of the Compare File 1 and Compare File 2 lists:

§         Snapshot - only files to which the File Hint, "snapshot," has been applied are displayed. The Agent automatically applies this File Hint when scripts are used to generate snapshot files. You can configure the Agent to apply this File Hint to watched files when setting up File Watchers (using Axeda Builder).

§         Text - all files (of all types) are listed. The Platform validates whether they are pure TEXT files after you click the Compare button.

3.       From the Compare File 1 and Compare File 2 lists, select the files that you want to compare.

4.       After selecting the files to compare, click Compare. When ready, the results are displayed in the File Comparison Results page.

Possible errors

The Platform returns error messages for the following conditions:

o        A file field is empty.

o        You select the same file for Compare File 1 and Compare File 2. Note that the Platform distinguishes between files of the same name but with different timestamps, allowing you to compare uploads of the same file, for example, a log file from two different days.

o        A selected file exceeds the maximum size set by your Platform administrator. The Platform displays the message, "file_name size is too big for comparison. Please select files less than configured_size". By default the maximum size is 3MB (3145728 bytes).

o        You select a binary file to compare against a text file. The Platform returns the error message, "file_name is not a valid text file. Please select a valid text file for comparison."

o        A file is empty.

Solution for all errors

Select a different, valid file and click Compare again.