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FTP Adapters

FTP Adapters are objects that coordinate communication sessions between Clarify and an FTP Server. Since Clarify does not contain an embedded FTP Server, an FTP Adapter is client-based only.

The FTP specification provides for a variety of security measures. Clarify supports the following FTP modes:
  • FTP: a non-SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) connection to a Server
  • FTPS: an SSL connection directly to a secure port on a Server
  • FTPES: a connection to an FTP port that switches the port to a secure mode
  • SFTP*: a connection to an SFTP Server

*The process to create and define SFTP adapters differs slightly from that of other FTP Adapters. SFTP Adapters are integrated using Business Processes. Please refer to the SFTP topic for more information.

FTP Adapters provide the following common FTP operations:
  • Get: Download a single file
  • MGet (Multiple Get): Download one or more files
  • Put: Send a single file
  • MPut (Multiple Put): Send one or more files

Business Use Case

FTP is a commonly-used protocol for sending and receiving data between two organizations. FTP communications can also be used to transmit internally within your organization if you have an FTP Server. FTP communications is a long-established requirement for B2B commerce and, with available security features, it continues to be a significant part of any B2B communication strategy.

If you use third-party FTP software to manage your FTP communications, you do not have to use a Clarify FTP Adapter to accomplish the same task. You can use File Monitors or File Adapters to perform the communication between Clarify and your third-party FTP software.

How the Object Works

Business Processes use FTP Adapters to perform FTP communications. Adapters are typically used immediately after a transformation step for outbound processes. For inbound data, several FTP Adapters are typically invoked as part of a larger Business Process. In addition to supplying data to an FTP Adapter, Business Processes can also supply it with runtime directions. For example, you may want to specify the name of a file being written to a remote FTP Server. The Business Process can supply the file name (and other common runtime values) to the Put/MPut Adapter.

Summary

To use a File Adapter, you must:
  • Create the FTP Adapter.
  • Define the FTP Adapter.
  • Reference the FTP Adapter in a Business Process

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