What is FTPS?
Commonly referred to as FTP/SSL, FTPS is a name used to encompass a number of ways in which FTP client and server software can perform secure file transfers. Each way involves the use of an SSL/TLS layer below the standard FTP protocol to encrypt the control and/or data channels .
Note: FTPS (File Transfer Protocol with SSL) should not be confused with SFTP (SSH). SFTP is not an acronym for Secure File Transfer Protocol, and is in fact not even related to FTP at all. For more on the pros and cons of FTPS vs. SFTP, click here.
Do I need FTPS?
This feature is for those users that need SSL-secure connections while using third-party FTP client software. Often these users also wish to automate transfers and that is where the third party software comes in.
Is FTP Today's FTPS implementation compatible with all FTPS client software?
Our implementation is fully TLS/SSL compliant , so it is compatible with any software that is also compliant (designed and coded to RFC specifications). There are also different methods of FTPS configuration. The most common methodologies of applying FTP and SSL are:
- AUTH TLS, Explicit FTPS or FTPES, named for the command issued to indicate that TLS security should be used. This is the preferred method according to RFC 4217. The client connects to the server, but requests that TLS security be used and performs the appropriate handshake before sending any sensitive data (username, password and data files).
- AUTH as defined in RFC 2228.
- Implicit FTPS is an older, but still widely implemented style in which the client connects to a different port (usually 990), and an SSL handshake is performed before any FTP commands are sent.
With this $10 per month* add-on, your site will be compatible with all methods of FTPS described above. That should cover every FTPS client software on the market today.
* There is also a one-time setup fee of $125 to enable this feature. This fee includes the licensing and installation of FTPS Wrapper software from Glub.com valued at $275 (unlimited connections, single server IP address). This fee also includes the generation of a self-signed SSL certificate. Root CA Signed certifcates are also available at prevailing rates.
