Diff between FTP and Secure FTP(SFTP)

Former Member — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 10:24:54 GMT

Hi,

Can anyone let me know the diff between the FTP and SFTP and what are the steps we need to take care if we use SFTP adapter in XI?

Thanks in advance....

Balaji.

Re: Diff between FTP and Secure FTP(SFTP)

MichalKrawczyk — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 10:31:48 GMT

hi,

sorry we don't have SFTP adapter in XI (only FTPS) which is completetly different

so do you need SFTP or FTPS ?

Regards,

Michal Krawczyk

Re: Diff between FTP and Secure FTP(SFTP)

Former Member — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 10:49:44 GMT

Thanks for reply..

Can you give me information about FTP and FTPS..

Re: Diff between FTP and Secure FTP(SFTP)

MichalKrawczyk — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 10:55:39 GMT

Hi,

but did you try wiki first ?

google - FTPS wiki

and you have lots of info about ftps

if you need XI specific details come back to the forum ok ?

Regards,

Michal Krawczyk

Re: Diff between FTP and Secure FTP(SFTP)

Former Member — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 10:56:22 GMT

Hi Balaji,

Basically SEEBURGER AG (www.seeburger.de) offers an SFTP/SCP adapter for SAP XI.

And about SFTP:

1) SFTP (Secure File Transfer Protocol)

"SSH File Transfer Protocol" or SFTP is a network protocol that provides file transfer and manipulation functionality over any reliable data stream. It is typically used with the SSH-2 protocol to provide secure file transfer. SFTP encrypts the session, preventing the casual detection of username, password or anything that is being transmitted. One key benefit to SFTP is its ability to handle multiple secure file transfers over a single encrypted pipe. By using a single encrypted pipe, there are fewer holes in the corporate firewall.

SFTP:

As per the latest SAP PI/XI support pack, it does not support SFTP via File Adapter.

So alternative approach to cater this requirement from XI is to make use of Unix Script at OS level to transfer the files from/to third-party systems.

Inbound Interface - i.e. third-party system ->XI->SAP:

File is transferred to a folder in SAP XI landscape from the third-party legacy system using UNIX Script with secured protocol. Once the file is ready in the XI landscape, File Adapter will poll this directory and file is picked up by NFS protocol.

Outbound Interface – i.e. SAP->XI->third-party system:

XI is responsible for writing a file into a folder in the XI landscape. These files are transferred to the third-party system by executing UNIX scripts with secured protocol i.e. via sFTP.

Pre-Requisites:

Public key should be exchanged between external systems and the PI system.

UNIX shell script has to be developed and scheduled.

Advantages:

Highly Secured.

Ability to handle multiple secure file transfers over a single encrypted pipe .By using a single encrypted pipe, there are fewer holes in the corporate firewall.

Disadvantages:

Two-Step process i.e. XI~~>Temporary folder~~>External System and vice-versa

Files have to be temporarily stored in XI server.

Multiple failure points i.e. XI and Unix script execution

Maintenance of an external UNIX script.

Difficulty in monitoring the execution of the shell script as it cannot be monitored thru XI.

Need to generate keys and install it in the SFTP site as a pre-requisite i.e. SFTP clients must install keys on the server.

SFTP uses keys rather than certificates. This means that it can't take advantage of the "chains of trust" paradigm facilitated through Certificate Authorities.

Files from the XI server should be deleted/archived in a periodic manner to increase the disc space so that it will increase the performance.

Note: UNIX shell Script can be executed as a background job ‘or' can be triggered from SAP XI through OS command at File adapter level.

Regards,

Vinod.

Re: Diff between FTP and Secure FTP(SFTP)

Former Member — Wed, 02 Feb 2011 02:44:50 GMT

Just be careful because SFTP is not the same as FTPS.

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