Bulk Uploading to CA

By using the "Import > Media" feature in CA rather than just attaching the file as a new media representation, you can import multiple files as representations at a single time and counter the 1 GB attachment limit, which does not apply to items imported in this way. You will need a couple key pieces of information:

• A private OpenSSH Key for the import user
  • This is assigned by a developer in DISCO and can be saved as a txt file with the key string in it. We all share the same key. (ask Digital Archivist or Systems Archivist)
• The files you'd like to import, preferably all in a single directory with nothing else in it
• The address on the server where the files should be written (ask Digital Archivist or Systems Archivist)

With this information, you can import the files.

1. Open a new Terminal window. Run the following command: scp -i /path/to/opensshkey/key.txt /path/to/files/to/import/* user@hosting.address:/ca_import
   • You can create a new directory within /ca_import if you'd like, or you can just import them to the root folder. Either way, clear them out after import, and don't let things get unwieldy.
2. The files will import and the progress for each should output in Terminal.
3. In CA, navigate to Import > Media
4. Select all the files to import in the Directory to import section
5. Toggle the following options:
   • Import mode - almost always set to "Import only media that can be matched with existing records"
   • Type used for newly created object representations - audio or video depending on the files, do not mix
   • Set - up to you, usually left off
   • Status & access - set representation status to "new" and set representation access to "accessible to public" (unless restricted content)
6. Then, within advanced options:
   • Matching - "Match using file name" where identifier "matches exactly" value usually works best for our use case
   • Object representation identifier - Set object representation identifier to file name
   • Miscellaneous - it's a good idea to check "Allow duplicate media?" here so that nothing is replaced or skipped. Do not choose to replace existing media unless that is what you intend to do. Confirm attached media should be replaced beforehand if selecting this option.
7. Execute media import! The progress screen is wonky, but when it finishes, it will print useful results letting you know if each one succeeded or failed.