FTP

Overview

DBSync's FTP (File Transfer Protocol) connector allows users to exchange files with an FTP server. This connector can be utilized to perform various operations, including downloading files from an FTP server, uploading files to an FTP server, reading multiple files, and writing to one or more files.

Prerequisites

To establish a connection to an external FTP server, the user must:

• Have a valid license for the DBSync FTP connector, along with a username and password to connect to the DBSync iPaaS platform.

• Have sufficient read/write permissions for the required directories on the FTP server.

Data Transfer

The DBSync FTP connector allows you to transfer data from, and to, an FTP server.

In order to transfer data from an FTP server to another source, you need to define an FTP Action that describes where the data resides.

In order to transfer to an FTP server, you need to define one or more FTP Actions that describe where to store the data.

Notes:

1. When the FTP Connector is used to transfer a file, the data is transferred in-memory to the FTP server, and nothing is registered on CloudWorkflow.

2. It is possible to connect to several FTP servers. However, each connection requires a separate connector.

Connector Configuration

The following parameters are required to configure the FTP connector:

Property	Description	Required	Default Values
HostName	The hostname or IP address of the FTP server.	Yes	ftp://hostname
Port Number	The port number for the connection (default is 21 for FTP, 22 for SFTP).	Yes	FTP: 21, SFTP: 22
UserName	The username for the FTP server account.	Yes
Password	The password for the FTP server account.	Yes
Folder	The folder path for reading/writing files (no leading or trailing slashes).	Yes
Columns	Header columns in the file (optional).	No
Delimiter	The delimiter used in the file (optional).	No
Enable Remote Server	Enables the use of a remote server.	No
Use SSH	Enables the use of SSH for secure connections.	No

Steps to Use the FTP Connector

Login to DBSync Cloud Workflow

1. Navigate to the DBSync website and click on Login.

2. Select Cloud Workflow.

Add the FTP Connector

1. In the apps page, look for the option to add connectors. Select Add Connector and choose FTP Connector from the list.

Configure the FTP Connector

1. Enter the required configuration details:

• HostName: Enter the FTP server's hostname or IP address.

• Port Number: Specify the port number (default is 21 for FTP).

• UserName: Provide the username for the FTP server.

• Password: Enter the password for the FTP server.

• Folder: Defines the folder where files will be read from or written to. Use . for the root or specify a subfolder (e.g., /inbound, /outbound).

Optional properties

1. Set properties such as:

• Mode: Choose between Passive or Active for the FTP connection. The data transfer mode. Passive is recommended as it works well with firewalls and NAT configurations. Use Active only if your FTP server requires it.

• File Type: Specify the file type (Binary or ASCII). Controls how file data is transferred.

  • ASCII: For text-based files like .csv or .txt.

  • Binary: For non-text files like images, executables, or zipped data.

• Use SSH Keys for Authentication

  • Enable this option if your FTP server uses SSH key-based authentication (for SFTP).

  • It enhances security by using public/private key pairs instead of a password.

• Enable Remote Server Public Key

Enable this option to validate the remote server’s SSH key during connection.

It adds an extra layer of security by verifying the server identity, preventing man-in-the-middle attacks (for SFTP connections).

Uses of the FTP Connector

• Automated File Backups: Reduce manual intervention by automating file backups from any CRM or accounting system to a remote FTP server.

• Post Processing of Files: Moves files from one directory to another within a file system.

PRO TIP

When configuring the FTP Connector, always use secure FTP (SFTP) when handling sensitive data to ensure secure file transfers.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Does the FTP connector support bi-directional data flow?

Yes, the FTP connector can be configured for both bi-directional and uni-directional data transfers.

2. How frequently can data be synced with an FTP server?

Data can be synced at intervals as short as every five minutes.

3. Is the FTP connector available for both on-demand and on-premise versions?

Yes, the FTP connector can be used with both on-demand and on-premise versions of DBSync Cloud Workflow.

4. Can the FTP connector handle large files?

Yes, the FTP connector is designed to handle large files. However, the performance may vary based on the size of the files and the available network bandwidth.

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