Large file download script

[SGBoise]

Hello,
I'm using a script that allows my clients to download files from my store. The problem I'm running into is that for some reason the download stops at around 5 minutes. I'm guessing it's hitting the max_execute_limit set by the web host.
Below is the code that I'm currently using. Can anyone suggestion a different method to allow people to download large files?
What I think would be if I could redirect the user to the actual file once I validate that the person has access to the file but that would mean giving the person direct access to the folder which I don't want to do.

PHP Code:

function readfile_chunked($file_name,$ret_bytes=true) {
    set_time_limit(0);
    $memory_limit = 1;
    $chunksize = $memory_limit*(1024*1024);
    $buffer = '';
    $cnt =0;
    $handle = fopen($file_name, 'rb');
   if ($handle === false) {
       return false;
   }
   while (!feof($handle)) {
       $buffer = fread($handle, $chunksize);
       echo $buffer;
       ob_flush();
       flush();
       if ($retbytes) {
           $cnt += strlen($buffer);
       }
   }
       $status = fclose($handle);
       exit;
   if ($retbytes && $status) {
       return $cnt;
   }
   return $status;
} 


Thanks in advance.

[Luc]

There are a few ways of handling this...

1. Simply increase the max execution time of your PHP scripts in PHP.ini so that it can run for more than 5 minutes.

2. Create a temporary directory that's web accessible. Then LINK (ln -s) the file the user is trying to download, to a temporary file with a random filename (ex: ln -s SOURCEFILE /www/site/tmp/RANDOMFILE.zip) and using PHP use header("Location: URLTOTMPFILE). That will basically send a redirect header to the remote host, and then apache will handle the actual download.

Since you're using file linking in option #2, the file doesn't use up any space on your PC but also doesn't reveal the true path and filename of the actual file, but rather some temporary file (which you can delete from cron every XX days).

Good luck,
Luc L.

[SGBoise]

Luc, you're a genius. I tried 1 already but 2 is a great idea. I'll have to try that.

Thanks.

Originally Posted by Luc

There are a few ways of handling this...

1. Simply increase the max execution time of your PHP scripts in PHP.ini so that it can run for more than 5 minutes.

2. Create a temporary directory that's web accessible. Then LINK (ln -s) the file the user is trying to download, to a temporary file with a random filename (ex: ln -s SOURCEFILE /www/site/tmp/RANDOMFILE.zip) and using PHP use header("Location: URLTOTMPFILE). That will basically send a redirect header to the remote host, and then apache will handle the actual download.

Since you're using file linking in option #2, the file doesn't use up any space on your PC but also doesn't reveal the true path and filename of the actual file, but rather some temporary file (which you can delete from cron every XX days).

Good luck,
Luc L.

[Luc]

No problemo bro. If you need sample code or something shoot me a PM. I use that second method all the time.

Just make sure you read up on the LN command (file linking) so you know how it works, but it should be fairly simple.

Good luck!
Luc