Question:  I'm looking for information about secure FTP products.

Answer:  The FastSync Mailbox system can be used within an FTP, PPTP/VPN environment.  I’m not sure if you are familiar with Virtual Private Networks but, when implemented on a WinNT server, your connections are encrypted.  The mailbox system is a client/server application and therefore requires the use of the FastSync Post Office Server and the Mailbox client. The FastSync system provides secure transfers, extensive auditing, a scheduling system and automated restart of any file transfers which fail. The system is designed for data file distribution on public or private networks.

Question:  We want to put several Post Office Servers on different LANS in either different locations or countries.  Can this be done and can the FastSync Hub Servers be linked together so it's transparent to the Clients on the WAN?  How is file transfer timing affected?  Didier Durand, IntraConnect S.A., Athens, Greece.

Answer:  Yes, the CTI FastSync Hub can be configured to connect several local networks together. In such a configuration, each end user will experience the response times of their local network, not the response time of the remote connection. For example, if a user in New York were to send a large file to a user in Athens, the New York user would send the file over his local network at local network speeds. The FastSync Hub would then forward the file to Athens where it can be picked up by the Athens user on his local network at local network speeds. Of course there may be a delay in sending the file between Athens and New York, but the end users will not experience this delay.

To implement this, you would install one central Post Office at one central location. This Post Office (which consists of the central Post Office Administrator and a single Post Office Daemon) would track all users on all networks and would be responsible for directing files between the appropriate networks. The Post Office should be installed on a network backbone that is also connected to the other local networks. If this network backbone is a TCP/IP network, you may use the Multiple Server Installation described on page 14 and illustrated in Figure 8 of the Planning, Installation and Maintenance Guide. If the network backbone is not a TCP/IP network, you must use the Multiple Network Installation described on page 15 and illustrated in Figure 9. The TCP/IP configuration is preferred where possible because it makes much more efficient use of the network backbone. In the TCP/IP configuration you would install a separate Mailbox Server on each local network and configure the Mailbox Servers to share data with the central Post Office Daemon via their shared directories.  Click here to download The Hub Planning and Installation Guide (a small 94Kb zip file).

Question:  I was wondering if there will be a problem using your software behind a proxy or firewall?  In most cases our users will be using the software from behind some type of security device.  Michael Mattar, Sales Engineer, SpeedChoice, Inc

Answer:  This is not a problem.  When you set-up the Post Office configuration settings on the Mailbox Client, select Zoom, then FastSync Firewall Settings, and make sure the "passive box" is checked.

Question:  I'm trying to dial into The Legal Hub, but I can't seem to keep the connection - only part of the file goes through - sometimes nothing.  What's going on?

Answer:  Sounds like your transmitting Block Size is set too high.   Click your Post Office Icon, Zoom into the Post Office and lower your Block Size to 32.  Click OK and Close.  Now try it.  Larger block sizes are appropriate for users on LAN and WANS, but not for dial-up connections.

Question:  Do you have a list of compatible modems?  Also, what specific characteristics must the modem support for the CTI dial-in Mailbox Client? Like what form of flow control, error control, data compression, etc.?  Jeff Willliams - ISI

Answer:  We do not have a list of compatible modems because our TCP/IP oriented software is transparent to, and therefore compatible with, any modem you connect to your Windows 95 system. For the same reason, we have no minimum requirements for modem capabilities (although error control, compression, and hardware flow control are generally preferred for PC communications).

Question:  My Hayes Modem TR light stays on.  Why?

Answer:  Some communications program you are using has sent a command to the modem that causes the TR to remain on.  To fix this, according to Hayes Tech Support, you must send the modem this AT command string: AT&F&C1&D2&W&W1.  Or, you can also just ignore it.