| |
Reflection FTP Client: Integrated, Versatile, and Secure
Reflection FTP Client, included in all Windows-based Reflection products, provides robust file transfer functionality for organizations that need secure access to files on both UNIX and non-UNIX servers. Like many FTP clients, Reflection FTP Client includes a site wizard, toolbar, and familiar split-pane interface to make transferring and viewing files more intuitive for Windows users. Reflection’s complete integration with Windows Explorer means users can use familiar drag-and-drop or copy-and-paste functionality to transfer files from Windows Explorer to remote sites. And, with auto-resume, interrupted transfers can be resumed once an FTP server connection is restored.
In addition to these standard features, Reflection FTP Client includes the unique security and automation features that Reflection users have come to expect. The client's support for a broad range of server types (UNIX, Netware, Unisys, HP 3000, IBM mainframe and AS/400, and OpenVMS) makes it an essential tool for accessing information in diverse computing environments. The client can be run as a standalone application or from within Reflection products for Windows systems.
Integrated security
By itself, FTP is an unprotected protocol that is a frequent target of hackers. In the past, companies could rely on "security through obscurity" to protect corporate data, but no more. With the popularity of the Internet, hosts that were once considered concealed are more vulnerable than ever before. For companies with a mobile or remote workforce, providing secure access to files via FTP is essential.
Reflection security components, which provide added security functionality for all Reflection products, work with Reflection FTP Client to provide integrated security to protect file transfer operations. The components (which are installed by default when you install your Reflection version 11.0 or later product) provide added functionality to Reflection FTP Client that lets administrators or users configure authentication and encryption through Kerberos 5, tunnel FTP protocol through OpenSSH or transfer files using SFTP (Secure File Transfer Program). These security methods can be used to ensure the privacy of FTP file transfers and communications. Normally, when establishing an FTP connection, authentication information (user name and password) typically travels over the network in the clear. With the OpenSSH client, establishing an SSH tunnel between the PC and an SSH-enabled host that authentication information is encrypted. You can also use Kerberos 5 key exchange, instead of a user name and password, to authenticate users for even more secure authentication.
Security options in Reflection FTP Client are automatically available when you install your Reflection product, providing integrated security configured within Reflection FTP Client itself. For Kerberos administrators, the Reflection Kerberos Manager utility lets you create or modify principal profiles, add or modify realms, set ticket lifetimes, import and export Kerberos settings, or perform other Kerberos management tasks, without leaving Reflection FTP Client.
High-fidelity file transfers, regardless of server type
For environments with heterogeneous systems, Reflection FTP Client offers intuitive access to files on an array of FTP servers, including UNIX, Netware, Unisys, HP 3000, IBM mainframe, AS/400 and OpenVMS. You can even connect to two remote sites at once and transfer files between them. Reflection FTP Client includes several features that make site-to-site file transfer work. For starters, the "smart file transfer" feature lets you determine which transfer method to use for a particular file type. For example, you might want to transfer files ending in a .doc filename extension using the Binary transfer method to preserve formatting in the document and prevent file corruption.
When transferring files between two remote sites, you can use built-in character translation to convert files from the host character set to the destination character set. For example, if you want to transfer an ASCII file that contains accented characters and symbols for a specific national language, you can set character translation options to perform necessary translation during file transfer.
Full-featured automation tools
Reflection FTP Client includes tools that allow novices to script actions, as well as an exposed API for programmers. The built-in script recorder lets you record, edit, and play scripts—no programming knowledge required. For example, you might record a script to perform a series of file transfers that run during off hours.
While the script recorder lets you automate tasks performed in the Reflection FTP Client interface, the client's API lets you use OLE Automation to automate tasks, including host actions and commands not exposed by the Reflection FTP Client interface. For example, you might use OLE Automation to get a directory listing on the host, search the list for files that match certain criteria, and then transfer the files automatically. This fully documented API means you can build secure file transfer into any application written in a language that supports OLE Automation, such as Visual Basic, C++, VBScript, Java, or JavaScript. In addition, you can access the API from any application that includes VBA, such as Reflection terminal emulation products or Microsoft Office applications.
Conclusion
Reflection FTP Client combines intuitive access for novice users with automation and security features for power-users. For Reflection customers with diverse systems (or non-UNIX systems), it's a flexible tool that helps information flow easily to the people who need it, while safeguarding corporate information from other eyes on the Internet.
|
