October 20, 2005

Secure SSL FTP File Transfers Now Possible on Titan

Users can now transfer data securely to and from Titan using SSL FTP.

When using SSL FTP, all data and passwords transmitted over the network are encrypted. You must configure your FTP client software to request an SSL connection with the Titan FTP server in order to use this facility.

Configuring FTP Client Software for SSL

If you are using the current version of WS_FTP Pro, the FTP client software provided by CIT, you simply need to define another site profile by clicking on the Connect button, which should open the Site Manager window. Next, click on Create Site. This will open a site wizard to help you define the new site, which will require several steps including naming the site, entering the server address - ftp.titan.nih.gov - entering your Titan userid, and (optional here) choosing the server type [FTP/SSL (AUTH SSL)]. Before you click Finish, be sure to uncheck the Connect to this site-box at the bottom of the page.

You should now be back at the Site Manager window, and your newly defined site profile should be listed there. Select the newly defined Titan SSL profile and click on Edit. This should open the Site Options window. Then click on Advanced on the left hand side of the Site Options window and from the Server type dropdown, select 'FTP/SSL (AUTH SSL)'.

Now click on SSL, under Advanced on the left hand side of the Site Options window, and verify that Client certificate = NONE and the three choice boxes below are unchecked. Finally, click OK, and the newly defined site profile should be ready for performing secure transfers to and from Titan.

What if My Older Version of WS_FTP Pro Does Not Support SSL?

If you have an older version of WS_FTP Pro that doesn't support SSL, go to http://silk.nih.gov, and click on NIH Connectivity Tools, to download the current version of WS_FTP Pro and the CIT documentation for installing and configuring it.

Verifying Your Secure SSL FTP Connection

After you have opened an SSL connection to Titan using WS_FTP Pro, verify that you have established a secure SSL FTP connection by checking for the small padlock icon that should show on the bottom bar of the right hand remote Titan window displaying your current Titan directory.

Using SSL FTP between Titan and another IBM Mainframe System

It is also possible to use SSL FTP to transfer data between Titan and another IBM mainframe system. In this case, Titan could be either the SSL FTP server or the SSL FTP client. The proper configuration for SSL FTP and the certificates involved is fairly complex. If you need to perform SSL FTP transfers between Titan and another IBM mainframe system, please contact the NIH Help Desk and request assistance.

If you have any questions, please call the NIH Help Desk at 301-496-4357, 866-319-4357 (Toll free), or 301-496-8294 (TTY).