Attachmate Bolsters Security of MFT Offering

Published: August 16, 2011

by Alex Woodie

Attachmate this month unveiled a new release of its managed file transfer (MFT) offering that can provide secure file transfers among a variety of platforms, including IBM i. With FileXpress version 7.1, Attachmate added another layer of security when using the SSH-based secure file transfer protocol (SFTP). It also bolstered support for AS2, expanded its platform coverage, and added a new smart client.

The FileXpress family of products is an Attachmate-branded version of the CyberFusion Integration (CFI) product that was originally developed by Proginet (now part of TIBCO Software). The product uses a proprietary protocol based on UDP and PDP, called RocketStream, to securely move files between source and target locations. It also supports file movement using more widely used protocols.

With version 7.1, FileXpress has added support for X.509 digital certificates during SFTP-based file transfers. These digital certificates provide another layer of security when using SFTP, which has become one of the most widely used security file transfer protocols.

This release also bolsters support for the AS2 protocol that's often used as a replacement for traditional EDI. With version 7.1, FileXpress now supports the transfer of files of more than 2 GB in size via AS2.

Support for Unisys-based servers is another feature in version 7.1. Attachmate says the product now has access to the files on Unisys servers, when FileXpress is installed as a gateway device.

Lastly, support for Microsoft's ClickOnce technology enables Attachmate to offer a new way for users to interact with the software. ClickOnce is a smart client technology that allows users to install and run a Windows application by clicking on a Web link.

"FileXpress 7.1 helps alleviate the headaches associated with file transfer by securing sensitive file movement, simplifying the process of provisioning and troubleshooting file transfers, and extending robust file transfer APIs to developers and system administrators," Attachmate product marketing manager Sam Morris says in a press release.

While Attachmate doesn't list IBM i as a supported platform in the FileXpress information on its website, in the past Attachmate officials have confirmed that the software does run on the platform. For more information, see www.attachmate.com.

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