AFTP trading partner

This trading partner exchanges data using the AFTP (Accelerated File Transfer Protocol). AFTP is JSCAPE's proprietary file transfer protocol that is a TCP/UDP hybrid. Since it is a JSCAPE protocol, the AFTP trading partner described here exchanges data with another MFT Server instance, using the AFTP protocol.

For this trading partner to work, the following 2 items must be configured on the remote MFT Server instance:

1) In the desired domain, navigate to the SERVICES > Listeners > Listeners module and add the AFTP protocol. Take note of the port, as you will need it to configure this trading partner. The default port number is 3000. Click here to learn more about adding the AFTP service.

2) In the same domain as above, add a user account (if one does not already exist) that will be used when data is exchanged with this trading partner. The user account is stored in ACCOUNTS > Users > Users. Take note of this user account (username and password). You will need it to configure this trading partner.

On the local system where you are configuring the trading partner, select the desired domain, then navigate to the AUTOMATION > Trading Partners module. Click on the Add button, or right click anywhere in the grid area and select Add from the pop-up menu. In the Add Trading Partner dialog window, select AFTP as the Protocol, then click OK. The Add "AFTP" Trading Partner dialog will appear as depicted in the figure below.

Name - The unique name to assign to this trading partner. Enter a name that best describes the trading partner, as you will be selecting the name when using the partner in MFT Server features that support it.

Host/IP - The hostname or IP address of the where the remote MFT Server is installed, and where the AFTP service has been added.

Port - The port number of the remote AFTP service. The default is 3000. The port number to use is the same port number as described in Item 1 at the top of the page.

Timeout - The maximum timeout (in seconds) for establishing a connection to the remote server.

Download bit rate - The download bit rate, which sets the speed in which files are downloaded. The value entered is in KBps,MBps or GBps. The default is 45 MBps.

Upload bit rate - The upload bit rate, which sets the speed in which files are uploaded. The value entered is in KBps, MBps or GBps. The default is 45 MBps.

Username - The username to use when logging in to the remote MFT Server service, which is the user that will be used when exchanging data. The username to specify here is the same user described in Item 2 at the top of the page.

Password - The password associated with the Username, used when logging in to the remote service.

Host Key - If checked, this means a certificate is being used to verify the identity of the remote server. The field's dropdown list allows you to select a Host key - managed by the Key Manager. The Host key is the public certificate generated by the administrator of the remote service, then sent to the MFT Server administrator. The certificate can then be imported into the Host Keys grid - on the global-level (Keys > Host Keys) or domain-level (SECURITY > Keys > Host Keys).

Client Key - This key is used to enhance the authentication of the MFT Server (the client) connection to the remote AFTP service. A key pair (where the public key is in the form of a certificate) is used for client authentication. Click the Client Key button, then select the client key type, which consists of the three options described below. Note: The remote AFTP service administrator and the MFT Server administrator are both capable of generating the key pair and providing the appropriate key to the respective party.

•	Use one-time key - If selected, a one-time key is used for authentication. It is generated on-the-fly and discarded after the connection is closed.

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Use server key - If selected, you will be provided with a dropdown list of Server Keys to choose from - managed by the Key Manager. Typically this option is selected when the MFT Server administrator provides the public key via a certificate to the remote AFTP service administrator. Choosing this option saves time by allowing you to select an already existing certificate. The certificate for the selected Server Key can be exported and sent to the remote AFTP service administrator.

•	Use key file - If selected, this is a file-based key that must be accessible to the MFT Server. For example, C:\PrivateKeyFolder\TradingPartner.prv. Typically this option is selected when the key is already generated by some other application.

o	Key file password - If Use key file type is selected, this is the optional client key password to be used for the connection.

Tags - If specified, this is the one or more tags that are used to limit which administrators have access to this trading partner.

Triggers are created on the domain-level in AUTOMATION > Triggers. Triggers listen for events (e.g., a file upload) and respond with actions. There are many trading partner-specific trigger actions. This example does not provide all the steps when creating a trigger; it describes how a trigger action would be configured using the AFTP trading partner. For a complete discussion about triggers, click here.

Assume, when a trigger event occurs, you would like a file to be automatically uploaded to the AFTP trading partner.

To accomplish this, you would need to add an action to the trigger, in the Trigger Actions area. The action to add is Trading Partner File Upload as depicted in figure 449 below.

Partner - This is the AFTP trading partner name. A list of existing trading partners will appear in the dropdown list for you to choose from.

Local File - This is the local file on the MFT Server to upload to the AFTP trading partner.

Remote Directory - This is the virtual path name that identifies where to upload the file to on the remote AFTP system. It is an existing virtual path name configured either on the remote user specified in the Username field (described in the Connection section above), or configured on a group the remote user is a member of. See Defining Virtual Paths for more information. The Real path that the virtual path points to is the directory where the file will be uploaded.