What is a FTP Server?

File Transfer Protocol (FTP) servers have been used to transmit sensitive files for decades. This legacy technology is frequently used by organizations and can server many purposes, but it has struggled to keep up with evolving business requirements. Unfortunately, FTP was not originally created with security in mind. As such, most FTP servers fail to provide the cybersecurity level needed to avoid disasters like data breaches, leaks, and errors.

How is FTP Used?

FTP is still used by many organizations for the simple transfer of files between a client and a server on a computer network. FTP can be used primarily for file transfers that don’t require high security by uploading those files from a local computer to a remote server or by downloading files from a remote server to the user’s local system.

While not as secure as other alternative protocols for transferring files, such as SFTP, AS2, or HTTPS, FTP can be used for:

Authentication
Automated processes such as batch file transfers
Directory listing

Why Use GoAnywhere's Standard FTP Server?

GoAnywhere Managed File Transfer is an enterprise-level solution that gives IT and security teams a robust, secure way to manage their data exchange. GoAnywhere comes with a FTP server that can be used for standard or secure FTP transfers (SFTP through explicit SSL connection requests).

Good cybersecurity practices are ensured using strong authentication methods: users can be authenticated against Active Directory (AD), LDAP, IBM i user profiles, and more.

Extensive security features for our FTP server include:

Remote administration and monitoring through a browser-based interface
Robust security and granular permission controls
Multiple authentication methods; database, Active Directory (AD), LDAP, and IBM i
Ability to view active sessions for logged-in users
Anonymous logins can be enabled or disabled
Configurable settings for maximum number of sessions, maximum login failures and idle timeouts
Ability to accept or reject files with certain extensions
Can be installed in the private network without opening inbound ports, when paired with GoAnywhere Gateway in the DMZ

Other FTP Server Features:

Highly scalable with no restrictions on the number of trading partners
Support for multiple listeners with configurable port numbers
Event triggers to automatically process files or send email notifications
Support for client requests to resume file transfers
Custom welcome and logout messages
Ability to accept or reject files with certain extensions

GoAnywhere MFT: The #1 File Transfer Solution

Learn how GoAnywhere MFT can help with FTP Servers and streamline the exchange of data between systems, employees, customers, and trading partners.

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FTP Logs

Audit trails (logs) are generated for all FTP sessions in GoAnywhere MFT to meet auditing and compliance requirements for regulations and privacy laws. These audit logs include what commands were issued, messages, IP addresses, user IDs, and file names transferred. Log messages can additionally be sent to a SYSLOG server using UDP or TCP connections.