Overview
S3 Bucket is a public cloud storage resource available in Amazon Web Services (AWS) Simple Storage Service (S3), an object storage offering. S3 Buckets are similar to file folders that store objects which consist of data and its descriptive metadata.
This document explains the process to obtain files from a designated S3 Bucket.
If you are currently using an FTP Client to connect to the GovSearch FTP Server, you may be able to use the same tool to connect to S3. The instructions will differ slightly from below, but the credentials and configuration requirements should be the same. If you need instructions for your specific tool, please reach out to support@technomile.com.
Note: Technical configuration is required to obtain files from S3. Refer to the S3 Bucket Configuration Guide for additional details.
Audience
S3 users
S3 Provisioning
For users who transitioned from the GovSearch FTP Server to the new Amazon Web Services S3 service, the new S3 credentials have been saved to your designated FTP folder. You can retrieve your Access key ID, Secret access key, and Remote directory details from a file that has been placed in your existing SFTP folder by the GovSearch team.
For new GovSearch users, contact support@technomile.com to receive your S3 credentials.
Connect with WinSCP
Note: Technical configuration is required to obtain files from S3. Refer to the How to Configure S3 Bucket Login for additional details.
Amazon S3 uses the concept of buckets, which you can think of as being similar to file systems or logical drives. Buckets can contain folders, which are similar to directories, and objects, which are similar to files. In this section, we will be using these concepts as we walk through the Amazon S3 functionality exposed by the Toolkit for Visual Studio.
TechnoMile’s S3 Configuration Guide suggests using WinSCP to manage and download files for GovSearch, however other applications are available. WinSCP is an open source free SFTP client for Windows. Its main function is file transfer between a local and a remote computer.
If you are using WinSCP for the first time, use the Explorer interface. When you start WinSCP, the application will ask you for your login information. In most cases, you will only need to select the server’s protocol, enter the host name, username, and password, and then click Login.
WinSCP Navigation
File Panel
In file panel you can enter the subdirectory of current directory by double-clicking the subdirectory icon (or by pressing Enter).
Directory Tree
Using the directory tree, you can enter any directory visible on the tree by clicking the icon.
Bookmarks
You can bookmark your favorite directories using the command Commands Add Path to Bookmarks in Explorer interface.
When bookmarking a directory, you can select between two bookmark lists, session bookmarks, and shared bookmarks. The first is specific to current session. The latter is shared among all sessions.
Download Files
Once the TechnoMile S3 Bucket has been configured, you will be able to easily navigate to the designated folder with the GovSearch flat file.
Updated files will be available approximately every two (2) weeks. You will receive an email notification when new files are available for download.
Download S3 File
Locate the file in the tm-bgov folder.
Right-click and select Download…
Select the desired download location and click Save.
If you experience issues with downloading or opening the S3 file, contact support@technomile.com.