Acceleration Technology: Solving File Transfer Issues

Solving File Transfer Issues with Acceleration

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Overview

• Traditional File Transfer Methods & Issues

• What is File Transfer Acceleration?

• File Transfer Acceleration Benefits

• Speed Gains with Acceleration vs. FTP

• Costs of Slow File Transfers


Traditional File Transfer Methods & Issues

Method Associated Issues

FTP Server Solution •Slow file transfer speeds•Learning curve for end-users•Users may not be able to connect to the FTP server if IT networks do not allow unrestricted FTP access•Difficult maintenance for FTP administrators managing end users and providing support to the FTP server

Email File Attachments •Attachment file size limitations (usually of 10 MB or less) cause emails with files exceeding this limit to bounce back•Attached files add to the storage requirements of a mail server when emails are archived, increasing archival costs•Email uses SMTP for transfers, not the most efficient protocol for transferring large files over the Internet


Traditional File Transfer Methods & Issues

Method Associated IssuesInstant Messaging •File transfers are not usually possible between different IM

clients•Transfers are not usually over secure channel, increasing the chances for data leaks•No file tracking capabilities when transferring files over IM makes it difficult to ensure delivery of files•Poor network utilization (usually files are transferred over the TCP/IP protocol cause slow transfers

Physical Media •Preparation time from recording the data to printing out mailing labels, to shipping physical media makes for a less efficient delivery process•Costs of the physical media and courier services can easily add up•Delivery time of shipping physical media can take anywhere from 1 to 5 days, not including unexpected delays


What is File Transfer Acceleration?

• File transfer acceleration technology allows large files, or “big data” to be sent quick and in many cases over large geographical distances without being impeded by network impairments such as latency and packet loss

• This is accomplished by transferring files using the UDP protocol instead of the TCP protocol, the protocol used for FTP

• The main difference between UDP and TCP is that UDP wastes no time communicating about the receipt of a block of data so that regardless of network latency, data transmission remains constant, thus overcoming the peak and valley effect that occurs with TCP based protocols on links with high latency

• Application layer protocol can be added to UDP to add a layer of reliability and rate control while not sacrificing its the other desirable properties


File Transfer Acceleration Benefits

• Full Line Speed Utilization: Other methods of file transfer using TCP (i.e. FTP) have built-in practical speed restrictions and do not make full use of a user’s line speed. At lower speeds it may not be noticed if there is a 4Mbps max speed, however as base connection speed increases, the more acceleration is needed to make full use of an investment in line speed.

• Geographic Diversity: As distance between to transfer points or using a satellite connection, transfers, especially of large files, will slow dramatically. While TCP performance takes a dramatic hit with latency, file transfer acceleration technology is immune to it.


File Transfer Acceleration Benefits

• Reliable Transfers: Connections such as satellite links are prone to packet loss. With TCP, dropped packets cause the throughput to be reduced dramatically as a response to “unreliability”. However, acceleration technology brushes it off, resends the dropped packets, and continues at full speed.


Speed Gains with Acceleration vs. FTP


Costs of Slow File Transfers

• Most enterprises do not realize the cost of slow file transfers. The most significant hard costs is bandwidth; soft costs include lost hours in terms of employee productivity and project completion

• Acceleration technologies provide return on investment by maximizing existing infrastructures. Spending money on more bandwidth makes little sense if current bandwidth is under-utilized.


Costs of Slow File Transfers

• Based on the following chart, consider some scenarios in which acceleration provides cost or productivity benefits:

7Mbps – 10 Mbps

25- 30Mbps 50 -60Mbps 150+ Mbps

Average monthly cost

$50 $65 $105 $200

*Based on average costs for business grade Internet connections, 2013


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/