Which Remote File Access Protocol is an Extension of SSH?

SSH protocol, also referred to as Secure Shell, is a method for remote login from one computer to another. It provides an alternative option for authentication and protects communications and integrity with encryption. It is often used as an alternative to the non-protected login protocols and insecure file transfer methods like FTP.

The remote file access protocol is an extension of SSH known as SFTP (SSH File Transfer Protocol), and is the most widely used file transfer protocol that runs over SSH.

What is SFTP?

SFTP has a similar workflow as FTP in that it uses clients and servers to communicate over the internet. When it comes to security and data transfer, they are different. Compared to FTP, SFTP has extra security measures. This protocol has improvements over FTP, and is designed to include an SSH-level data transfer strategy in transit. SFTP can also preserve file attributes like timestamps.

SFTP is also considered more beneficial than FTPS, which is basically the old FTP protocol run over SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) or TLS (Transport Layer Security). Because SFTP runs over SSH, no additional ports need to be opened on the server and no additional authentication needs to be maintained. It simplifies configuration and reduces the likelihood of errors. Furthermore, FTPS needs a complicated firewall configuration and may not work over NAT. It also supports both active and passive modes, which can further complicate the firewall configurations and cause problems.

An important thing to consider about SFTP is that, like FTP, it is still built on a framework known as TCP. TCP was designed to send files from one location to another by guaranteeing the order that packets are sent. Developed in the early 1970s, TCP was designed to handle smaller files compared to today, was never intended to transmit bulk data to different continents, and creates bottlenecks on packets transmitted.

A Faster Alternative to SFTP

SFTP lives on SSH, which has many different protection features. Systems that use security keys for authentication can be hard to manage and maintain. It can also be difficult to configure properly without support from a software vendor. Because it also utilizes the TCP protocol, it is susceptible to network congestion and packet loss that leads to slow transfer speeds.

Luckily for businesses and organizations, IBM Aspera has come up with a fast and secure file transfer method by using its own technology. 

The Benefits of IBM Aspera

Aspera eliminates bottlenecks associated with outdated technology like TCP with its own proprietary technology, known as FASP. Utilizing available bandwidth, it moves files at maximum speeds across the world without causing delays. It can run on-premise or in cloud-based infrastructure provided by your preferred cloud computing provider. It is also available as a SaaS, so organizations can avoid having to deploy and manage underlying infrastructure.

With Aspera, there are many benefits that SFTP cannot offer:

• Users can deliver live video, growing files, and data sets of any size quickly and reliably around the world.
• Its patented adaptive rate control utilizes available bandwidth without affecting other network traffic, allowing TCP-based applications to function properly.
• Their FASP protocol offers built-in security for data transfers using the AES encryption standard through the open-source OpenSSL toolkit.

Many companies across various industries rely on the Aspera software to transport their most valuable digital assets to boost productivity and reduce costs. IBM Aspera offers a complete portfolio of software products and technologies that provide any organization with the highest level of performance. 

Ask PacGenesis About IBM Aspera

As an IBM Gold Business Partner, we’ve earned IBM’s trust to implement their Aspera solution. We have gained over 10 years of experience offering technology solutions, supporting hundreds of customers to install and use leading technology solutions.

To learn more about Aspera and PacGenesis, contact us today or follow @PacGenesis on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn, or go to www.pacgenesis.com.

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