Solving the Problems of FTP

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Overview

• What is FTP?

• How does FTP work?

• Drawbacks of FTP

• Solving the Problems of FTP

• Speed Gains with Acceleration vs. FTP


What is FTP?

• FTP (file transfer protocol) is a standard network protocol used to transfer files from one host to another on the TCP protocol

• FTP is one of the oldest protocols on the Internet, first drafted in the 1970’s (with few changes since!)

• FTP was designed to be completely agnostic – independent from operating systems, file storage systems, and file types


How Does FTP Work?

• FTP runs on the TCP/IP protocol, using 2 TCP connections

• The first connection used is a control channel used to exchange instructions and is always open

• The second is a data channel used for file transfer and directory listings and is opened as needed

Client Server

2-way control channel (always open)

Data channel (opened as needed)


Drawbacks of FTP

• As FTP is based on the TCP protocol, it inherits the same drawbacks as TCP including:

– Latency (RTT): TCP/IP requires the receiver to acknowledge each packet being sent, in sequential order. Each trip is known as round trip time (RTT) and this communication vastly slows down file transfers, especially as geographic distance grows

– Packet loss: Network congestion typically causes buffer overflows of intermediate routers, causing packet loss. Since packets are sent sequentially, this can cause a hold-up in the cycle, slowing down file transfers.

• Latency combined with packet loss creates even worse performance for FTP transfers.


Solving the Problems of FTP with Acceleration

• File transfer acceleration is possible by optimizing throughput (removing latency from the equation).– By switching out TCP for UDP (user datagram protocol) the effects of

latency on a network are eliminated. – UDP is a “connectionless” protocol that does not depend on

sequenced acknowledgements and retransmissions (unlike TCP). Without the same acknowledgment requirements as TCP, latency is effectively eliminated.

– Since UDP allows packets to be received in a different order than they were sent it does not stall if packets are dropped.

– To ensure reliability with UDP transfers lost packets can be requested with a command channel: data flows over UDP while error-correcting commands are periodically exchanged over a TCP/IP stream. Without the


Speed Gains with Acceleration vs. FTP


About FileCatalyst

FileCatalyst technology is developed by Unlimi-Tech Software Inc., a world leader in file transfer solutions. Founded in 2000, the company has more than 1000 clients with a user base of over 1 million. FileCatalyst provides software-based solutions designed to accelerate and optimize file transfers across global networks. Being immune to packet loss and latency, FileCatalyst can send files much faster than methods such as FTP, HTTP or CIFS, while adding security and reliability.

To learn more visit www.filecatalyst.com

http://www.filecatalyst.com/

Solving the Problems of FTP

Technology

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