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Aspera Connect

The web provides convenient, cost-effective file sharing for global collaboration and media distribution. However, very large file transfers to remote servers using FTP or HTTP are impractical due to the poor performance of TCP-based file transfers over the WAN. The Aspera Connect web client, transferring with Aspera server software, eliminates distance as a barrier to time-critical global collaborations within the enterprise, and global content distribution to partners and consumers. The client software is a small-footprint browser plug-in allowing users to transfer files seamlessly from within a browser, using Aspera fasp technology. Transfers are as fast as possible and finish in a predictable time, even for multi-gigabyte files over impaired networks, and have the same bandwidth control, security, and reporting of the other fasp transfer applications.

Key Features:

  • Uploads and downloads of files and directories at line speed (up to 100X+ FTP or HTTP) over the wide area.
  • Adaptive rate control fully utilizes available bandwidth while remaining fair to other traffic on the user's link.
  • Graphical transfer table augments the browser with progress reporting and controls to pause, change speed, and change bandwidth usage policy on-the-fly.
  • Transfers continue even if the browser is closed, and failed transfers are automatically retried. Partial transfers automatically resume from last byte on disk.
  • Rich, Javascript API allows for ready integration in any web-based application.
  • Platform native plug-in (no Java) is small, fast loading, and provides maximum transfer performance.
  • Built-in video player provides fast, glitch-free progressive download and playback of media files.

Ideal for:

  • Breakthrough fast, inexpensive online media distribution to global consumers such as IP-TV and movie download services
  • Electronic news and video contribution over broadband, satellite and wireless networks
  • Replacing FTP or tape exchange with fast, web-based transfers
  • Integration with asset management systems to speed remote transfers of large assets

Deployment

Aspera Connect uses URL links to transparently speed the transfer of large files and directories to remote hosts with Aspera software installed. A common model is to deploy the Enterprise Server as an upload/download target, alongside a web application server. Content is enabled for Aspera transfer by embedding Aspera Connect in the application's web pages and publishing links with fasp-encoded URLs. When the user clicks a fasp link, or drags content from the desktop to the browser, the Aspera Connect launches, contacts the Enterprise Server to request authorization, and performs the transfer.

Parameters such as the transfer rate (as a percentage of the user's capacity), bandwidth sharing policy (e.g. adaptive- or fixed-rate), encryption settings, and target upload path, are encoded in the URL, and optionally locked and encrypted to prevent tampering. The URL can be dynamically generated per user or group for allocating premium speed to certain users and to target transfers to individual directories. The solution supports seamless authorization with existing authorization services via a SOAP web services interface, preserving single sign-on for the user.

In addition to classic upload and download with a centralized server, the Plug-in can negotiate transfer parameters with the server and upload content to another authorized endpoint computer running Aspera software. The URLs point to targets within the network with Aspera Enterprise Server installed. When a user drags files onto a respective folder image in the browser, Connect launches on the user's computer, processes the URL, and performs a transfer to the endpoint referenced in the URL, creating a virtual "drop-box" workflow. The upload may traverse the global corporate WAN but with speed independent of the network conditions.

Purchasing

Aspera Connect is an install-on-demand browser plug-in for Internet Explorer, Safari, and Firefox (Q1 2008). Connect is designed to transfer with the Aspera Enterprise Server, and is enabled through an add-on license to these products. To request more information on pricing or an evaluation, please contact sales@asperasoft.com.