A file transfer is the transmission of a data object from one computer system to another, either locally or remotely. This information is transferred utilizing a communications protocol such as File Transfer Protocol (FTP), Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) or Simple File Transfer Protocol (SFTP).
File transfers can be performed manually by copying files to an external hard drive, USB pen drive or CD. In addition, some computers are connected to each other via a serial or parallel port (see null modem cable), enabling file transfer through the network or Internet. The file transfer process can be automated through the use of an FTP client or command-line FTP.
Many factors can impact the speed of file transfer, including the size of the data objects, file locations and the network connection speeds. To understand the true speed of a file transfer, you must consider all these variables. When assessing the performance of a file transfer solution, it is important to use measurements such as bits per second (bps), bytes per second (B/s), Kilobytes per second (KB/s) and Megabytes per second (MB/s).
In today’s global business environment, the need for reliable, high-speed file transfers is more critical than ever. The rise of big data and the Internet of Things (IoT) are accelerating the need for organizations to exchange bulk transaction files between internal systems and with partners, suppliers and customers.
To ensure that these transactions are processed in a timely manner, it is essential to implement a file transfer solution that offers high speed and security. As cyberthreats continue to increase, file transfer technology must also be able to provide visibility into the movement of data and files within the enterprise.
NDIT offers several solutions to support file transfer and data exchange, depending on your specific needs. For example, a fast and secure SFTP server is available to securely transfer large files over a LAN or WAN. This solution can be used to transfer files between CMS data centers or with outside partners.
SFTP is the same as FTP except it operates on the application layer using Secure Shell (SSH). It provides a more robust security model and is much more firewall-friendly than traditional FTP. This makes it a popular choice for secure file transfer. In fact, you may already have been using SFTP without even realizing it! Most online file downloads from public FTP servers are done using SFTP. In order to use SFTP, you must first log in with a username and password, either automatically or by manual input. After logging in, you can access the remote server and carry out your file transfer operations. To do this, you must have an FTP client program installed on your computer. There are free and paid programs to enable you to use SFTP.Upload large files
