FileCatalyst Acceleration vs. FTP

FileCatalyst® overcomes problems introduced by latency and packet loss which bring FTP to its knees. Even under poor network conditions, FileCatalyst maintains optimal bandwidth for incredibly fast delivery.

FileCatalyst® acceleration technology uses multiple features to yield such exceptional transfer speeds. Broadly speaking, the main factors contributing to faster speeds are:

Bandwidth Optimization

FileCatalyst Direct uses two features to yield exceptional transfer speeds even on poor performing networks. These features include:

• FileCatalyst UDP-based protocol: a patent-pending UDP-based protocol that is faster in transferring large data sets when there is high latency or packet loss over the network
• Multiple TCP Streaming: In situations where UDP is not possible, FileCatalyst can achieve some measure of acceleration by running transfers through multiple concurrent TCP streams, along with on-the-fly compression.

Data Reduction

FileCatalyst Direct uses two additional features to optimize bandwidth utilization by limiting the amount of data sent. These features include:

• On-the-fly Compression: FileCatalyst compresses data in real time, meaning no time-consuming compression or decompression at the beginning or end of each transfer. File sizes may be reduced by 50% or more, creating virtual transfer speed that exceeds available bandwidth.
• Delta Transfers: If a file has changed since its last transfer, FileCatalyst can send only the “deltas” (incremental differences) of the file, rather than resending it in its entirety.

Additional features include automation, scheduling, and progressive transfers —making FileCatalyst product suite the most comprehensive managed file transfer platform. FileCatalyst’s software-based approach provides for rapid deployment with minimal resources. FileCatalyst can be easily installed in less than 30 minutes for fast, interactive collaboration on large data sets. With no special hardware required, FileCatalyst can be remotely configured and managed, and allows companies to take full advantage of their bandwidth immediately.

FTP vs FileCatalyst ROI

Most companies utilize an FTP type of software to send and receive files. For the most part it makes sense; they are inexpensive or free, and fairly easy to use if you know what you are doing. However, do you really know how much this tool is costing you?

For example, your Company is located within North America and you need to send and receive large files. You have a couple of options: first, you may ship hard drives or DVDs back and forth which is slow, expensive and inefficient. Second, you may attempt to utilize FTP and have your counterpart download or upload files—which is also slow, inefficient and unreliable.  Despite this, you begin to see the benefits of electronic transfer.

You build a case to purchase a fast Internet connection for the organization, hoping to use it to effectively transfer these large files.  The only problem is that every internet connection has latency (the delay for a packet to get from one point in the network to another) and you rarely ever realize the full throughput of your connection using FTP.  What are your options?

FileCatalyst solutions provide you with the ability to achieve full line speed regardless of latency, maximizing network infrastructure and return on investment. This means lower ISP costs, as well soft benefits such as fast, secure and reliable file transfers. Read more about FileCatalyst ROI here.