When it comes to large file transfers, there is always a concern about the size of large data files and how long it will take to exchange them from one location to another. Files are growing in size due to the increasing sophistication of data capture (high resolution video/imaging). Workflows for data are becoming more geographically dispersed. Files generated in one location are processed or consumed in other locations. That might be in another country or continent. It is the distance that can slow the process down, and the problem has gotten worse with the pandemic moving a lot of workflows remote.
Every industry is experiencing growth in the average size of files and it’s even more important for organizations to pay attention to what sort of tools they will use as their large file transfer sharing solution. The main question that organizations should ask when trying to move extra-large file sizes (that are gigabytes in size) from point A to point B is: what’s the most efficient and effective way? The answer may be extreme file transfer (XFT).
What is Extreme File Transfer (XFT)?
Extreme file transfer, also known as XFT, comes from a need to solve the issue of large file size. In some cases, the files themselves may be much too large. In others, the problem may be that the file destination is simply too far away for reliable delivery over TCP/IP. These large files have become known as “extreme files.” Like many file transfer options, there are some shortcomings to TCP/IP that can get in the way of file transfers. There is a small window that the file can be transferred within which forces users to find a different solution to share files: extreme file transfer. XFT allows companies to move a large amount of data quickly and reliably and over larger distances than other protocols.
What Can Extreme File Transfer Do for Your Organization?
Extreme file transfer is a category of file transfer that focuses on moving files faster than traditional methods. Each extreme file transfer product (such as FileCatalyst) has a proprietary protocol that can move files very quickly. Here are a few incredibly useful benefits of XFT:
- Disaster recovery and business continuity
- Content distribution and collection, e.g., software or source code updates
- Continuous sync – near real time synchronizing for ‘active-active’ style HA
- Supports basic replication, but also more complex bi-directional sync and mesh scenarios
- Person to person distribution of digital assets
- Collaboration and exchange for geographically distributed teams
- File based review, approval, and quality assurance workflow
As evidenced above, extreme file transfer is a powerful tool for those who have large files to transfer, especially over long distances. If your organization finds that a more robust file transfer protocol is necessary for their workflows and security plans, extreme file transfer could be the solution
FileCatalyst’s Extreme File Transfer
FileCatalyst is an XFT solution in that it was built to support the fast transfer of very large files at high bandwidth over long distances. Big data, media-rich files, databases and more can benefit from FileCatalyst’s acceleration capabilities. FileCatalyst’s accelerated file transfer applies anywhere in the world. Any organization can calculate the estimated length of time file transfers will take with FileCatalyst from different locations in the world.
One of FileCatalyst’s major strengths is its ability to begin transferring media files that are still being encoded. Even as a file grows, transfers can begin. Organizations are also able to leverage on-the-fly compression in order to maximize transfer speeds and achieve reliable file transfers over remote networks. They can also quickly distribute data across a WAN to any of their storage platforms. For companies like the Travel Channel, Filecatalyst was able to “transfer and manage its internal digital content exchange more efficiently, creating an immediately faster, and better organized, file exchange process.” - Matthew Westrup, Head of Operations at Scripps Networks
Ultimately, FileCatalyst provides many of the key capabilities that make up XFT. It is designed to meet organization’s needs for quick file transfers of any size from anywhere in the world.
