Ipswitch MOVEit Central ASx Protocol Options

The MOVEit Central software by Ipswitch is a powerful file transfer management solution that is used by enterprises to automatically “pull, process and push” files between internal, local DMZ-based, and remote systems (including MOVEit DMZ servers). MOVEit Central does this using a wide variety of built-in, industry-standard secure and non-secure file transfer methods, including AS1, AS2 and AS3. This overview offers technical and licensing details on MOVEit Central ASx Protocol Options.

The AS “Applicability Statement” protocols define methods for securely exchanging structured data over the Internet, and are used by manufacturers, distributors and retailers in a variety of industries. AS1 and AS2 are industry standards; AS3 is an emerging solution. AS1 uses SMTP and POP3 to send data as email attachments while AS2 uses HTTP or HTTPS to move data via Web servers and AS3 uses FTP to transfer data via FTP or FTP over SSL (FTPS) servers. These AS protocols provide data protection and non-repudiation using S/MIME, digital signatures and Message Disposition Notifications (MDNs) for data encryption, authentication, and data integrity checking, respectively.

MOVEit Central is a “super-client” with the native ability to automatically pull and push files using any combination of FTP, FTPS (SSL), HTTPS, SFTP (SSH2), SMTP/POP3 as well as by copying files to and from the local file system and/or shared network folders. Central also has the optional ability to send and receive files with AS1 via email servers, with AS2 via AS2-capable servers (requires MOVEit DMZ v.4.0 or higher up to receive MDNs), and AS3 via FTP or FTPS servers (including MOVEit DMZ).

Central controls AS file transfers as much as it does when using other secure and non-secure methods; all are automated, scheduled and managed using easy-to-create tasks — no programming required. Tasks define the characteristics of the files to be moved, the transfer methods and authentication credentials to be used, any file processing to be done, and the source and destination host systems. AS host definitions incorporate negotiable partner parameters, including formal organisation names, encryption and signing methods, hostnames and other AS “partner connection” options. AS source and destination elements control path/file settings, MDN requests, and similar “per transfer” options.

Tasks can also automatically process files using built-in functions (ZIP/UNZIP, renaming files, finding/replacing strings, and transforming XML files with XSL documents) and by running VBS scripts to trigger third-party command-line utilities, programs with COM interfaces, and script interpreters.

Tasks can be remotely configured, controlled and monitored with the bundled MOVEit Central Admin Windows console and/or be controlled by third-party programs through the Central API interface. Central can run tasks on a scheduled, event-driven or on-demand basis — and can easily execute multiple tasks simultaneously, with each task able to move multiple files between multiple sources and destinations using multiple processes and multiple transfer methods. (Example: copy files from internal sources, push them with AS2 to an external destination, and FTP copies to a local archive.)

The AS file transfer capabilities in MOVEit Central are provided using a tightly integrated copy of “IP*Works! EDI .NET Edition” software that has been commercially licensed from /n software, and which has been AS2 interoperability tested and certified as “eBusinessReady™” by Drummond Group. Central AS1, AS2, and AS3 capabilities are available as a single, separately licensed and priced option.

If you would like any further information regarding the Ipswitch File Transfer product range or file transfer in general, please don’t hesitate to contact Pro2col.