What Is File Transfer?
File Transfer refers to the transmission of a computer file from one system to another. It may be facilitated by different mechanisms such as file sharing systems that use peer-to-peer servers, attachments on email programs, copying files from a computer onto a portable storage device or sending them through an instant messaging program. Files can be structured or unstructured and may contain a variety of information including data, multimedia, graphics and text. They can also be transferred inside or outside of a company, depending on the context. File transfers are often governed by a communications protocol such as file transfer protocol (FTP), transmission control protocol (TCP) or hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP).
The business of moving data is at the core of many operations, whether it’s transferring batch transactions to an outsourced payroll provider or streaming digital video for a marketing campaign. The pace of digital transformation demands that companies move data quickly and securely, even as they face increasing file sizes and volumes. This one-two punch of speed and volume creates unique challenges for traditional file transfer technologies that rely on legacy protocols.
With FTP, a client connects to the server over a command channel and a data channel. The command channel manages the commands that initiate the data transfer and the data is sent over the data connection. The client can then perform a variety of tasks on the data, including downloading, uploading and deleting files. In addition to standard commands, some FTP clients support a wide range of application programming languages and can even perform tasks such as encrypting data.
SFTP offers a secure alternative to FTP for transferring files over the internet. With SFTP, users can login to a website with an account that has been set up by the agency to transfer files. Once logged in, they can access files by entering their username and password. They can also download a list of available files or individual files by specifying their names and the type of file they want to download.
Choosing the right file transfer solution for your business involves considering the needs of your team and customers. There are a lot of factors to consider, such as security, speed and automation capabilities. JSCAPE MFT Server, which is compatible with 12 file transfer protocols, is a managed file transfer platform that can help you meet your needs. Learn more by downloading a free, full-featured evaluation edition of the software. It comes with security, automation and compliance capabilities right out of the box. It also has a built-in FTP client that eliminates the need to install and maintain client software for person-to-person or server-to-server transfers. The tool is easy to deploy and comes with a comprehensive user manual for support. It also supports multiple browsers and mobile devices for ease of use. The software’s intuitive interface makes it easy for nontechnical staff to get up and running with no training required. For more information about JSCAPE MFT Server, visit the product page.