Network Environment

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Connect typically requires some configuration steps in order to function in your network environment. Configuration settings also allow you to limit transfer rates and use an HTTP proxy.

If you need to configure any network proxies or override network speeds, you can do so through Connect's Network option. Before modifying Connect's network configuration, review the network requirements below, which describe ports that may need to be open on your network (such as ports 22 and 33001).

Network Requirements

Your SSH outbound connection may differ based on your organization's network practices. Although TCP/33001 is the default setting, consult your IT department for questions related to which SSH ports are open for file transfer. Also see the help documentation for your particular operating system, for specific instructions on configuring your firewall. If your client host is behind a firewall that does not allow outbound connections, you will need to allow the following:

  • Outbound connections for SSH, which is TCP/33001 by default, although the server side may run SSH on another port. Check with your IT department for which SSH ports are open for file transfers.
  • Outbound connections for FASP transfers, which is UDP/33001 by default, although the server side may run FASP transfers on one or more other ports. Check with your IT department for which SSH ports are open for FASP transfers.

Limit Transfer Rates

Important: Set values in these fields only if you need to limit the bandwidth that Connect uses. For example, your office may have limited bandwidth to share among its users. Exception: For the SaaS products Files and Aspera on Cloud, use this field to set the default transfer speed.

Launch Connect as follows:

  • Start > All Programs > Aspera > Aspera Connect
  • On Windows 10, > > Aspera > Aspera Connect.

Open Preferences:

From the system tray: Right-click > Preferences

You can limit Connect transfer rates from the Bandwidth tab:

You can limit the download and upload transfer rates by enabling the respective checkboxes and entering a rate in either Mbps or Kbps. Note that setting a maximum speed doesn't guarantee your transfers will ever achieve that speed. Actual performance depends on the following factors:

  • Your network's bandwidth: Available bandwidth on your network may limit your transfer rate, even if you enter larger numbers into these fields.
  • Your Aspera server transfer settings: Settings on your server may limit your transfer rate even if your network bandwidth and the numbers you enter are larger.

HTTP Proxy

HTTP fallback serves as a secondary transfer method when the Internet connectivity required for Aspera accelerated transfers (UDP port 33001, by default) is unavailable. If UDP connectivity is lost or cannot be established, if you have configured an HTTP proxy, the transfer continues over the HTTP protocol based on this proxy configuration.

Note: Although the HTTP proxy is used primarily for the HTTP fallback feature, it can be used for all HTTP-related activities performed by Connect. However, it cannot be used for FASP transfers.

To configure and enable an HTTP proxy server, open Preferences > Network in Connect and look for the HTTP Proxy section.

To configure the HTTP proxy, select one of the following configuration methods from the drop-down list:

  • System – to have Connect use the HTTP proxy settings that are configured for your operating system.
  • Manual – to enter your HTTP proxy settings manually. (This may require the assistance of your system administrator.)

    These settings include username and password authentication credentials, as well as the host name, IP address, and port number.

    Note that the Use HTTP Proxy checkbox and fields are enabled only if you select Manual.

IBM Aspera Proxy

When IBM Aspera Proxy (a.k.a. FASP proxy) is enabled, Aspera passes the DNAT or DNATS (secure) username, password, server address, and port to ascp.

To set up a FASP proxy, do the following:
  1. Go to Preferences > Network in Connect and locate the FASP Proxy section in the lower half of the dialog.
  2. Select the following checkboxes:
    • Use FASP Proxy (DNAT)
    • Secure (DNATS)
  3. Enter your proxy server username, password, address, and port number.