Transparent FTP tunneling provides a quick and easy way to secure FTP file transfers without the need to change the existing FTP scripts. Users can keep using the existing applications with their familiar IDs and authentication methods.

Transparent FTP tunneling uses the Secure Shell v2 protocol to tunnel the existing FTP client and server connections providing full compatibility with existing unsecured FTP file transfer environment. Transparent FTP tunneling can be used to secure both interactive and unattended FTP sessions. Tectia Server for IBM z/OS supports passive FTP sessions that are initiated by an FTP client.

The existing FTP clients and servers are kept running, and they can continue performing their tasks, for example post-processing the transferred files.

Transparent FTP tunneling is an ideal solution for environments with thousands of complex FTP jobs with possible file transfer pre- and post-processing.

Transparent FTP tunneling also allows falling back to plaintext FTP, in case a Secure Shell tunnel cannot be established. This makes it possible to start migrating to secure file transfer usage immediately, and still be able to connect to the remaining FTP applications.