Large file transfer in a design collaboration environment
View Patent ↗Systems and methods for use in a B2B communication or integration environment, operating using a web browser to access systems protected by an enterprise network firewall, to transfer files in a manner that is reliable, restartable, and secure. After assuring the transfer is allowed, a web browser sends a signed applet to a file transfer client, which makes an out-of-band connection to a file transfer server. The file transfer client and file transfer server interact using a bi-directional protocol suited to file transfer operations. The techniques are applicable to transferring relatively large files, for example in excess of 1 Gigabyte, and relatively smaller files in network environments that are relatively less reliable.
1. A method of transferring a large file to or from a server past a firewall, said large file exceeding a pre-selected file size limit for transmission past the firewall, comprising the steps of:
accessing a web site behind the firewall, the web site having a web page including an applet, and the web site associated with the server;
receiving the web page and the applet from the web site;
sending the applet to an application at a file transfer gateway; and
transferring the large file between the file transfer gateway and the server through the firewall;
wherein the large file is pushed from the server through the firewall to the file transfer gateway by registration of a target with the server behind the firewall, polling the server for files to be downloaded, and downloading the large file from the server through the firewall over a virtual channel and by the server receiving said registration of the target behind the firewall, receiving polling of the server for files to be downloaded, and downloading the large file from the server through the firewall over a virtual channel; and wherein the large file is downloaded from the server through the firewall in chunks.
2. A method as in claim 1 , wherein the web site is at a collaboration manager separate from the server.
3. A method as in claim 2 , further comprising the step of checking the file out from the collaboration manager to the server.
4. A method as in claim 1 , wherein the applet is signed responsive to authorization of a user accessing the web site.
5. A method as in claim 1 , wherein accessing the web site and receiving the web page and the applet are performed using a web browser.
6. A method as in claim 5 , wherein the web browser and the file transfer gateway are implemented on a client.
7. A method as in claim 1 , wherein the application at the file transfer gateway is a file transfer service implemented on a client or edgebox.
8. A method as in claim 7 , wherein transferring the large file between the file transfer gateway and the server is performed over a virtual channel between the file transfer service at the file transfer gateway and a file transfer adapter at the server.
9. A method as in claim 1 , wherein the chunks are transferred using a basic hypertext transport mechanism.
10. A method as in claim 1 , further comprising the step of encrypting, decrypting, or performing some other operation on the large file before or after transferring the large file.
11. A method as in claim 1 , further comprising the step of negotiating context information for transferring the file, wherein the server accepts or alters recommended context information sent by the file transfer gateway to the server.
12. A method as in claim 11 , wherein the recommended context information comprises quality of service information and recommended file transfer parameters.
13. A method as in claim 1 , wherein the large file is in excess of 1 Gigabyte.
14. A method of transferring a large file to or from a server past a firewall, said large file exceeding a pre-selected file size limit for transmission past the firewall, comprising the steps of:
authenticating access by a requestor to a web site behind the firewall, the web site having a web page including an applet, and the web site associated with the server;
sending the web page and the applet to the requestor;
receiving a request from the requestor to transfer the large file to or from the requestor; and
transferring the large file between the file transfer gateway and the server through the firewall;
wherein the large file is pushed from the server through the firewall to the file transfer gateway by registration of a target with the server behind the firewall, polling the server for files to be downloaded, and downloading the large file from the server through the firewall over a virtual channel and by the server receiving said registration of the target behind the firewall, receiving polling of the server for files to be downloaded, and downloading the from the server through the firewall over a virtual channel; and wherein the large file is downloaded from the server through the firewall in chunks.
15. A method as in claim 14 , wherein the requestor is a browser or edgebox.
16. A method as in claim 14 , wherein the applet is signed responsive to authorization of the requester.
17. A method as in claim 14 , wherein the web site is at a collaboration manager separate from the server.
18. A method as in claim 17 , further comprising the step of checking the file out from the collaboration manager to the server.
19. A method as in claim 14 , wherein transferring the large file between the large file transfer gateway and the server is performed over a virtual channel between a file transfer service at the file transfer gateway and a file transfer adapter at the server.
20. A method as in claim 14 , wherein the chunks are transferred using a basic hypertext transport mechanism.
21. A method as in claim 14 , further comprising the step of encrypting, decrypting, or performing some other operation on the large file before or after transferring the large file.
22. A method as in claim 14 , further comprising the step of negotiating context information for transferring the file, wherein the server accepts or alters recommended context information sent by the file transfer gateway to the server.
23. A method as in claim 22 , wherein the recommended context information comprises quality of service information and recommended file transfer parameters.
24. A method as in claim 14 , wherein the large file is in excess of 1 Gigabyte.
25. A method of downloading a file from a server past a firewall, comprising the steps of:
registering with the server behind the firewall;
polling the server for files to be downloaded; and
downloading the file from the server through the firewall over a virtual channel;
wherein the file is transferred in chunks using a basic hypertext transport mechanism; and
wherein the file is pushed from the server through the firewall by said registering step resulting in registration of a target with the server behind the firewall, polling the server for files to be downloaded, and downloading the file from the server through the firewall over a virtual channel and by the server receiving said registration of the target behind the firewall, receiving polling of the server for files to be downloaded, and downloading the file from the server through the firewall over a virtual channel.
26. A method as in claim 25 , further comprising the step of encrypting, decrypting, or performing some other operation on the file before or after transferring the file.
27. A method as in claim 25 further comprising the step of negotiating context information for transferring the file, wherein the server accepts or alters recommended context information sent by the target to the server.
28. A method as in claim 27 , wherein the recommended context information comprises quality of service information and recommended file transfer parameters.
29. A method of downloading a file from a server past a firewall, comprising the steps of:
receiving a registration at the server behind the firewall;
receiving polling of the server for files to be downloaded; and
downloading the file from the server through the firewall over a virtual channel;
wherein the file is transferred in chunks using a basic hypertext transport mechanism;
wherein the file is pushed from the server through the firewall by the step of receiving said registration, comprising the registration of a target with the server behind the firewall, polling the server for files to be downloaded, and downloading the file from the server through the firewall over a virtual channel and by the server receiving said registration of the target behind the firewall, receiving polling of the server for files to be downloaded, and downloading the file from the server through the firewall over a virtual channel.
30. A method as in claim 29 , further comprising the step of encrypting, decrypting, or performing some other operation on the file before or after transferring the file.
31. A method as in claim 29 , further comprising the step of negotiating context information for transferring the file, wherein the server accepts or alters recommended context information sent by the target to the server.
32. A method as in claim 31 , wherein the recommended context information comprises quality of service information and recommended file transfer parameters.