[iampick]

Hi,

Many Download software (MD, IDM, Flashget, etc ...) are mass download software
It make many many connections to my server. So I want to know how to force download dialog box ( save as, open ) instead of download software promt.

If you use Hotmail you will see that attached file can't download with download software and Hotmail force user to use normal download dialog box

I tried to coding with php-header .. but it still not work.

[Kelvin]

I'm assuming you basically want to stop people from hammering your server? i.e. limiting the number of requests any person can make.

Many sites stream the downloads directly via PHP scripts, since PHP scripts are singled threaded so its impossible for the users download manager to start downloading in multiple chunks

PHP Code:

<?    
    $filename = $_GET["filename"];
    $buffer = file_get_contents($filename);

    /* Force download dialog... */
    header("Content-Type: application/force-download");
    header("Content-Type: application/octet-stream");
    header("Content-Type: application/download");

    /* Don't allow caching... */
    header("Cache-Control: must-revalidate, post-check=0, pre-check=0");

    /* Set data type, size and filename */
    header("Content-Type: application/octet-stream");
    header("Content-Transfer-Encoding: binary");
    header("Content-Length: " . strlen($buffer));
    header("Content-Disposition: attachment; filename=$filename");

    /* Send our file... */
    echo $buffer; 
?>

You would then link to this file, something like http://yourDomain.com/download.php?filename=xxx.zip and it would send the xxx.zip file.

WARNING - be very careful doing this though, do a lot of sanitizing on the filename value, be sure to strip slashes, only allow predefined files to be downloaded.

NOTE - Its VERY important that you do not send any other output, only data read from the file should be echo'd out,

I've not fully tested this code - personally I use something a little more simplistic -

PHP Code:

<?    
    $filename = "/home/YOURFILE";
    $buffer = file_get_contents($filename);
    header ("Cache-Control: must-revalidate, post-check=0, pre-check=0");
    header ("Content-Type: application/octet-stream");
    header ("Content-Length: " . strlen($buffer));
    header ("Content-Disposition: attachment; filename=$filename");
    echo $buffer;    
?>

Alternatively you could take measures directly via Apache - http://www.webhostgear.com/279.html

I Hope this helps.

[acheo]

Kevin,

Do you know how to force download of several files at the same time. I want my users to select their files and then, to download them with one click.

thanks

[wirehopper]

Take the selected files, tar or zip them, then use the offered code to deliver the tar/zip file.