GridFTP: Key Concepts
Overview
GridFTP is a high-performance, secure, reliable data transfer protocol optimized for high-bandwidth wide-area networks. The GridFTP protocol is based on FTP, the highly-popular Internet file transfer protocol. We have selected a set of protocol features and extensions defined already in IETF RFCs and added a few additional features to meet requirements from current data grid projects.
Our white paper, GridFTP: Universal Data Transfer for the Grid , describes the motivations behind this work in more detail. A subsequent update titled GridFTP Update, January 2002 provides the latest news regarding GridFTP, including current status and plans for future development.
GridFTP provides the following protocol features.
- GSI security on control and data channels
- Multiple data channels for parallel transfers
- Partial file transfers
- Third-party (direct server-to-server) transfers
- Authenticated data channels
- Reusable data channels
- Command pipelining
The GridFTP protocol is currently a Global Grid Forum recommendation (GFD.20). It can be found here.