FastSync WebServer for TCP/IP based Depository Extranet Store-and-Forward Mailbox Systems

FASTSYNC^® WEB SERVER

Technical Description

Prepared by Ron Gorman

Overview

This document describes the FastSync Web Server addition to the FastSync Mailbox System. This version of the FastSync Mailbox allows users to connect to a FastSync Post Office using a standard Web Browser and to take full advantage of the numerous benefits of the FastSync Mailbox System. The FastSync Web Server encompasses a family of technologies and agents hosted on a Microsoft NT 4.0 Server web server that communicate with an existing FastSync Post Office. The FastSync Web Server takes over much of the functionality that would normally be handled by the Mailbox Client, Mailbox Server and Post Office Daemon in a traditional FastSync Mailbox System installation. Although the FastSync Web Server represents a substantial departure from the design philosophy of the traditional Mailbox System, it is fully compatible with the traditional Mailbox System. Therefore clients of the FastSync Web Server will be fully capable of exchanging parcels with users of the Mailbox Client on the same Post Office Server Hub.

The FastSync Web Server offers the following advantages over the traditional FastSync Mailbox System:

End users need no special software to connect to a FastSync Post Office. Connections are established using an Internet Explorer 3.0 or Netscape Navigator 3.0 or higher browser. (Netscape users need to download a plug-in from the Web Server and install it before they can send files to the Post Office.)
Users are able to send and receive files and navigate through their In- and Out-Boxes using simple HTML point and click techniques.
Users can access their In- and Out-Boxes from any PC with a compatible browser installed.
The FastSync Post Office interface can be integrated directly into a company’s intranet or Internet Web site.
Software updates can be administered centrally from the Web Server, rather than being installed individually on each remote PC.

The FastSync Web Server also offers many of the same advantages as the traditional Mailbox System, including the following:

Users send and receive files to and from any other user, whether the user is a FastSync Web Server client or a Mailbox Client user.
"Broken files" (i.e. files that were in route when a connection was abnormally terminated) are automatically continued from the point where the file was broken.
Users are automatically notified of the current status of files that have been sent and received.
Users can "zoom" in on parcels in the In-Box or Out-Box and view complete status information.
Users can send and receive "priority" parcels and refuse delivery of incoming parcels.
Transmitted files can be archived at both the server and client.
File transfer is based on the efficient, industry-standard FTP protocol.
File transfer progress can be monitored visually.
Inactive files received at the server can be automatically purged at prescribed intervals.
Session activity and statistics for FastSync Web Server clients are kept at the Post Office and can be viewed in a variety of reports.
The FastSync Web Server provides all of the security benefits of the FastSync Firewall.

Variances of the FastSync Web Server system as opposed to the traditional FastSync Mailbox System:

Netscape users must download and install a plug-in before they can send files to a FastSync Post Office. Internet Explorer users must enable ActiveX and downloading of active components before they can send files.
The In- and Out-Boxes can only be navigated on-line (i.e., while connected to the Web Server).
The FastSync Web Server must be installed on a Windows NT Server 4.0 (or higher) PC running TCP/IP, IIS and the Web Server and FTP Server services.
Configuration and integration of the server-side components is a complex process requiring knowledge of a variety of client/server technologies. Professional installation is normally recommended.
During maintenance, the Web Server service must be actually stopped (or other steps must be taken) to prevent client access to the FastSync Post Office during certain Post Office administrative tasks.
By bypassing the Post Office Daemon, the FastSync Web Server also bypasses its built-in flow-control and contention-resolution mechanisms. This may reduce the scalability of a FastSync Web Server system as opposed CTI's traditional Mailbox System.
Busy signals encountered by a FastSync Web Server client when attempting to dial in to a FastSync Web Server are not logged at the Post Office.

This information is subject to change without notice. CTI is not responsible for actions taken as the result the information presented as part of this Technical Description. If you have any additional questions or require more details, kindly telephone us at 1-208-769-7000.

Web Services: Robust and Fast for Intranets and the Internet (from Microsoft's web site)
Microsoft^® Windows NT^® Server's built-in Web server, Internet Information Server 4.0 (IIS), makes it easy to share documents and information across a company intranet or the Internet. IIS is the fastest Web server for Windows NT Server, and it is completely integrated with Windows NT Directory Services. This combination of Web and operating system services makes it possible for the first time to deploy scalable and reliable Web-based applications. This new generation of networked business solutions brings legacy data and applications to the Web, and lets companies redefine internal and external business processes.

Windows NT Server 4.0 integrates naturally into the Web. In Windows NT Server 4.0, the Web becomes simply another part of the operating system. IIS's Active Server Pages offer an advanced, open, compile-free application environment in which you can combine HTML, scripts and reusable ActiveX server components to create dynamic and powerful web-based business solutions. Tools such as Microsoft FrontPage, and comprehensive and dynamic full-text searching are fully integrated into the operating system. Crystal Reports, also included with IIS, is a visual reporting tool that lets you create presentation quality reports and integrate them into database applications. This Web integration allows you to build professional-quality Web sites, administer your network, increase system flexibility and scalability, as well as maintain centralized, comprehensive security.