TransferAgent

FileCatalyst TransferAgent offers a new way to leverage FileCatalyst technology from within a browser, allowing files to be sent securely and reliably at speeds up to 10Gbps. Like all other FileCatalyst products, TransferAgent is able to overcome poor network conditions to ensure files arrive at their destination.

TransferAgent combines a desktop application (the “agent” itself) with an HTML5 interface that allows browsing local or remote file listings, selecting files for transfer, and initiating transfer without the use of browser plugins. Additionally, the flexible interface allows organizations to set up a button for downloading preselected files. Once a transfer is under way, progress updates are published to the web browser; however, the browser window or tab can be closed at any time and the transfer will continue.

There are many integration options for TransferAgent. Below are upload and download. All files uploaded to the demo server, are automatically deleted after 15 minutes.

• Upload Example: Local directory listing and an upload queue (files are automatically deleted after 15 minutes)

  demo   docs

• Download Example: Remote directory listing and a download queue

  demo   docs

• 2-Way Example: A 2-pane local and remote simple transfer.

  demo   docs

The Link feature solves the problem of sending large attachments, and makes it simple for users to quickly send files as an email link. It’s simple for the administrator to enable, for the user to send both local and remote files, and for the recipient to download the files from the link.

When licensed and enabled, FileCatalyst Server is given the ability to expose the Link web application, a small collection of pages purpose-built for simplified sharing of files. There is no heavy deployment phase since FileCatalyst Server is the web server.

The user logs into Link using their browser, selects local or remote files to share, and fills out the remaining email fields. If local files are selected, there is an upload phase that uses FileCatalyst acceleration. Once all the files are collected, Link sends an email with a download URL to the intended recipient(s). The recipient of the email does NOT need a user account. They simply click the URL provided and can download the files

With the inevitability of the Java plugin no longer being supported in Safari for Mac OSX (though currently support still exists), we needed to solve the problem of managing file transfers and enabling acceleration from a web interface. And we needed it to closely resemble what we already offer.

Here’s the scenario with our line of applets:

• User lands on a web page that is to be used for file transfer
• The launching script advises the user of the need for the Java plugin if it is not already installed
• The applet is transparently downloaded
• The applet launches and presents the user with a file transfer interface

This experience has been (and will continue to be) one of FileCatalyst’s great strengths. It is slightly modified for the TransferAgent approach:

• User lands on a web page that is to be used for file transfer
• The launching script advises the user of the need to download the TransferAgent if it is not already installed
• The user downloads and runs an installer, which launches the application
• The user confirms the installation, which presents them with a file transfer interface

On first run, there are a few more mouse clicks than first run with the applets. But on subsequent visits to a FileCatalyst TransferAgent-enabled page, the interface will present itself without user intervention.

Rather than being a Java applet, it is a full desktop application. It is installed as needed to the client machine, where it thereafter appears as a tray icon. This application is able to exchange information through the browser using TCP/IP. When the user interacts with the interface, they are actually sending commands and requests to the TransferAgent application, which takes over and does the actual business of the file transfer. While the file transfer occurs, the TransferAgent is also able to share status updates, which the browser is able to show to the user.

A side benefit is that at the API level, the user interface that we supply actually becomes very secondary. You can use our UI if it suits your needs, or with a bit of development time you can replace it with something completely custom. As long as the conventions of the REST calls are followed, any FileCatalyst customer can build their own “window” into the TransferAgent application. We anticipate most users will use the full-featured interface we have provided, but the option is there. As one of the developers on the project, I’m definitely eager to see if anybody runs with it.

Getting Started

Existing FileCatalyst applet customers qualify for immediate free upgrade to the TransferAgent. New customers or those with a different license should contact our sales team: contact FileCatalyst