Transfer Large Files Over Internet
Transfer files with ease no matter their size
Transferring files between people both inside and outside your organization is an essential part of modern business. Often you need to transfer large files—much larger than what you can include in a standard email attachment. To get those files to the people who need them, you need a file transfer solution that makes it easier to send big files securely.
SolarWinds® Serv-U® Managed File Transfer (MFT) Server can enable easier, safer, and more reliable file transfer both internally within your organization and externally. The tool is also built to handle file sizes exceeding 3GB.
With Serv-U MFT Server, file transfers are easier. You can:
- Send large files, videos, presentations, applications, graphics, and more
- Exchange files of any type and format
- Transfer multiple files simultaneously
- Upload and download files via the internet from anywhere
- Send and request big file attachments from colleagues and clients
Maintain data integrity with large file transfers designed for security
Maintaining the security of your data when you transfer big files over internet connections is essential. SolarWinds Serv-U MFT Server can help you protect your data as it travels between devices. You can deploy and configure Serv-U MFT Server in your data center and network, which means you can have more control of your file transfer data and storage. Your IT teams can also view file transfer operations across the network, helping eliminate the need for employees to use FTP freeware and cloud-based file transfer and storage tools that could open your organization up to security vulnerabilities. Serv-U MFT Server is also built to provide security for data in transit by allowing you to use secure protocols such as FTPS (FTP over SSL/TLS) and SFTP (FTP over SSH) for file transfer. Serv-U also supports multi-factor authentication (using certificates and keys) and encryption. For federal government and civilian agencies looking for secure file transfer, Serv-U MFT Server supports FIPS 140-2 validated cryptography.
Centralize file transfer operations and optimize resources for more effective file sharing
When it comes to helping your employees send large files between computers over internet connections, you want to use a product focused on ease of use and security, so a cloud-based tool or FTP freeware isn’t needed.
SolarWinds Serv-U MFT Server centralizes your file transfer operations and provides intuitive FTP clients to let users transfer files quickly and easily. The innovations in Serv-U MFT Server that help make it an effective large file transfer solution include:
- The built-in FTP Web client lets you easily upload and download files from the FTP server.
- The free FTP Voyager® JV plug-in makes file transfer more intuitive and user-friendly, including side-by-side panes for source and destination folders, multiple file transfer, folder synchronization, transfer queue, thumbnail file preview, and more.
- The free FTP client FTP Voyager (a desktop application) provides a Windows Explorer-type interface to let anyone transfer files using Serv-U. The scheduler engine in FTP Voyager also helps with file transfer automation.
Simplify the process of sharing big files over the internet with support for multiple transfer protocols
Large file transfers should be easy to benefit both the individual and security of the organization. Serv-U MFT Server solution comes with features designed to make it as user-friendly as possible. Anyone, no matter their level of technical experience, can transfer big files with the aid of straightforward features and directions.
Serv-U MFT Server can also let you safely transfer files using the most common file transfer protocols: FTP, FTPS, SFTP, HTTP/S.
Get anywhere, anytime access to share, upload, and download large files
SolarWinds Serv-U MFT Server is designed to be an easy-to-use FTP server software that simplifies even sizable file transfers and offers anytime, anywhere access to upload and download files. Serv-U can go beyond simply letting you transfer large files between computers by connecting to other devices, including supporting safe file transfers from Apple and Android mobile devices and even the Kindle Fire via HTTPS, with optional plug-ins to make it easier to transfer very big files or multiple files with the ability to drag and drop files between local and remote folders.
Configuring the Serv-U MFT Server also typically takes minutes, not hours. You can deploy the solution in your virtual machine, data center, or private cloud. Serv-U MFT Server also helps reduce the hassle of end-user management with native Active Directory and LDAP server integration.
How to share large files over the internet
Sharing large files over the internet is challenging without a quality solution designed to simplify the process while maintaining the security of the data you’re transferring. Some of the ways you can share large files over the internet include:
- File compression: File compression software does exactly what it sounds like—it compresses files into a smaller size, so you can send them over the internet.
- Cloud services, like Google Drive: You can upload large files to the cloud and share access with the desired user. For example, if you’re using Gmail to send large files, you’ll likely find many files are too big to send as an email attachment. Google then gives you the option to upload the files to Google Drive and share the link with users.
- File Transfer Protocol (FTP): This may be old school, but it’s still the most reliable way to transfer files across the internet with greater ease and capacity than you can get through simple computer-to-computer transfers.
While FTP is the best way to transfer files, you need to access a remote server to use it. If you invest in a quality server, you get the benefit of superior file transfer security features alongside fast and reliable file transfer services.
When you have a quality FTP server, sharing large files over the internet is easy. Using Serv-U MFT, you can:
- Open the web portal
- Select if you want to Request Files or Send Files
- Fill out a name for the project, add your contact info and an expiration date and password if you want them (for added security)
- If you’re uploading files, you’ll be directed to a page where you can upload files the same way you would if adding an attachment to an email
- Once you’ve uploaded the files (or if you’re setting up a link to request files), the portal will generate a link you can share with the people you’re sending the files to or from whom you’re requesting files
No matter the size of your files, the process can be easier with an FTP server.
FTP large file transfer vs. cloud-based file transfer
When it comes to transferring large files over the internet, one of the biggest debates is about whether it’s better to use cloud-based file transfers or FTP. While cloud-based systems may seem flashier, they’re less secure and less effective than FTP servers (which continue to be the most reliable way to transfer files of any size).
Unfortunately, employees often turn to cloud-based products when they don’t have good IT products available. Even if you have organizational rules in place to try to prevent those less secure file transfers, employees might be tempted to circumvent them to simplify the file transfer process. Not only can that invite serious risks to an organization’s security, but it can also violate HIPAA compliance, costing the organization huge amounts of money in fines.
To keep that from happening, organizations need to invest in an FTP server and file transfer management solution that makes transferring large files easy—without sacrificing security. A solution like SolarWinds Serv-U Managed File Transfer (MFT) Server can help organizations keep users from seeking out their own, less-secure solution for sharing information.
How does Serv-U support large file sharing?
SolarWinds Serv-U MFT Server is built to make large file sharing both within and outside your organization simpler and more secure. Serv-U can offer complete control over your file transfers—even those over 3GB in size, making it a good solution for organizations whose employees need to send large files, videos, presentations, applications, graphics, and more.
Serv-U supports the five most common file sharing protocols (FTP, FTPS, SFTP, HTTP, and HTTPS), meaning you can continue using your existing shared software. It can also let you share large files using the same simple approach you would use to transfer smaller files.
Serv-U includes features specifically designed to make transferring files easier, including:
- Links that clearly identify how to start requesting or sending files
- Customizable email notifications that can include next steps
- Nearly identical Send Files and Request Files dashboards, meaning you only need to learn to navigate one simplified interface instead of two
- Intuitive features that make it easier to upload files, such as a drag-and-drop feature for local file systems
- Option to set optional passwords, expirations, and messages in your files
- Displaying a progress bar during uploads
- Ability to share files already on the server without needing to upload them again
- View files from any device you want, including mobile devices like phones, tablets, and e-readers
Related Resources and Tools
Other SolarWinds tools designed to support FTP connection:
Related resources:
- How to share large files over the internet
- FTP large file transfer vs. cloud-based file transfer
- How does Serv-U support large file sharing?
- Related Resources and Tools
- File compression: File compression software does exactly what it sounds like—it compresses files into a smaller size, so you can send them over the internet.
- Cloud services, like Google Drive: You can upload large files to the cloud and share access with the desired user. For example, if you’re using Gmail to send large files, you’ll likely find many files are too big to send as an email attachment. Google then gives you the option to upload the files to Google Drive and share the link with users.
- File Transfer Protocol (FTP): This may be old school, but it’s still the most reliable way to transfer files across the internet with greater ease and capacity than you can get through simple computer-to-computer transfers.
- Open the web portal
- Select if you want to Request Files or Send Files
- Fill out a name for the project, add your contact info and an expiration date and password if you want them (for added security)
- If you’re uploading files, you’ll be directed to a page where you can upload files the same way you would if adding an attachment to an email
- Once you’ve uploaded the files (or if you’re setting up a link to request files), the portal will generate a link you can share with the people you’re sending the files to or from whom you’re requesting files
How to share large files over the internet
Sharing large files over the internet is challenging without a quality solution designed to simplify the process while maintaining the security of the data you’re transferring. Some of the ways you can share large files over the internet include:
While FTP is the best way to transfer files, you need to access a remote server to use it. If you invest in a quality server, you get the benefit of superior file transfer security features alongside fast and reliable file transfer services.
When you have a quality FTP server, sharing large files over the internet is easy. Using Serv-U MFT, you can:
No matter the size of your files, the process can be easier with an FTP server.
Transfer large files over the internet more easily with a managed file transfer solution
Serv-U Managed File Transfer Server
- Send files between devices and users no matter the file size
- Protect data with file sharing security protocols
- Access shared files at any time from multiple device types
Starts at
Supports unlimited concurrent sessions