About IBM test Connect:Direct FTP+

IBM® Connect:Direct® FTP+ provides a simple, reliable, and secure way to transfer files between a Connect:Direct server and Connect:Direct FTP+ sites through the following interfaces:
  • A graphical interface, similar to common FTP graphical interfaces
  • A command line interface that accepts common FTP commands and scripts

Before you can use Connect:Direct FTP+, configure it to communicate with a remote Connect:Direct server. Configure Connect:Direct FTP+ to always communicate with the same Connect:Direct server, or to communicate with different Connect:Direct servers during different sessions. However, it can only communicate with a single Connect:Direct server during a session. After a session ends, you can restart Connect:Direct FTP+ and establish a new session with a different Connect:Direct server.

Following is a sample Connect:Direct FTP+ network:

The local computer is always the computer where Connect:Direct FTP+ is installed. The remote computer is always the Connect:Direct server.

What Is Connect:Direct?

Connect:Direct moves files containing any type of data across multiple platforms, file systems, and media. Connect:Direct FTP+ is used by many industries throughout the world to move large volumes of data and to connect to remote offices. Connect:Direct is installed on a mainframe, UNIX, or Microsoft Windows server at a central processing site and communicates with other Connect:Direct sites in the business network.

With Connect:Direct FTP+, small businesses can use the power and protection of Connect:Direct to safely move data between local sites and computers running Connect:Direct. Connect:Direct FTP+ provides the following advantages over traditional FTP:
  • Assured, reliable data delivery. Connect:Direct FTP+ has checkpoint and restart capability. If a data transmission is interrupted, the transmission is automatically restarted up to five times. If the local Connect:Direct FTP+ terminates during a file transmission from a Connect:Direct server, the transmission must be restarted when Connect:Direct FTP+ is started again. All activity and statistics are logged, so there are verifiable audit trails of all actions.
  • Secure data delivery. Connect:Direct FTP+ is compatible with the IBM Connect:Direct Secure Plus, a data encryption product that runs on the remote Connect:Direct server. Data can be safely sent in an encrypted format, safe from hackers and data thieves.
  • Data integrity checking. Connect:Direct ensures the integrity of the transferred data and verifies that no data is lost during transmission.

Before You Use Connect:Direct FTP+

Before you use Connect:Direct FTP+, complete the following tasks:
  • Install Connect:Direct FTP+ on the Microsoft Windows or UNIX Connect:Direct server. This is usually performed by the system administrator.
  • Install Connect:Direct FTP+ on a local Microsoft Windows or UNIX computer and configure it to communicate with the Connect:Direct server.

The IBM Connect:Direct FTP+ Release Notes describes how to install Connect:Direct FTP+. Help on the configuration interface describes how to configure Connect:Direct FTP+.

Connect:Direct FTP+ Configuration Interface

The configuration interface configures Connect:Direct FTP+ to communicate with a remote Connect:Direct server.

Use the configuration interface to initially configure Connect:Direct FTP+. Use either the graphical interface or the command line to send and receive files with Connect:Direct FTP+.

You can create multiple configurations with the configuration interface. For example, you can create configurations for sessions with different Connect:Direct servers. Or you can create configurations that enable or disable file encryption.