FTP server types in BackupAssist
When setting up BackupAssist to backup to an FTP server you need to specify what type of FTP server BackupAssist is connecting to. BackupAssist provides support for connecting to four different types of FTP server, which are described briefly below.
Setting the FTP Server Type in FTP destination options
More details on FTP (Wikipedia)
FTP or File Transfer Protocol is an open standard used to transfer backup data from the machine running BackupAssist to a server over the Internet, or through a network. BackupAssist initiates a connection to your FTP server in order to upload the backup file to this machine. Virtually every computer platform supports FTP, which means that files can be uploaded to a machine running a different operating system (Linux, Windows, etc) provided that the machine allows FTP access.
The FTP specification, however, is an insecure method for transferring backup data because it does not provide a method for encrypting the transferred data. FTP server passwords and file contents are sent in clear text and can be intercepted and retrieved by eavesdroppers. The common solution to this problem is to use either SFTP or FTP with TLS/SSL, which both act to secure your data by adding extra layers of encryption. Both of these secure methods are supported in BackupAssist and are explained below.
FTP with TLS/SSL, or FTPS, is a type of FTP connection with additional security benefits. TLS stands for 'Transport Layer Security' and SSL stands for 'Secure Sockets Layer'. When you connect to a FTP server using FTP with TLS/SSL, encryption protects the connection between the machine running BackupAssist and the server you are transferring data to, ensuring that backup data and passwords are protected against potential intruders.
To use this connection type in BackupAssist the server you wish to transfer your backup file to must support FTP with TLS/SSL connections. If you try to connect using FTP with TLS/SSL and the server does not support this connection type the backup file transfer will not work. Your network administrator should be able to tell you if your FTP server supports FTP with TLS/SSL connections. Alternatively you can choose this server type and click Test connection in BackupAssist to determine if your server supports FTP with TLS/SSL.
BackupAssist supports two different methods for establishing FTP with TLS/SSL connections to your FTP server:
- AUTH TLS or Explicit SSL/FTPS
This is the preferred method for establishing a FTP with TLS/SSL connection. - Port 990 SSL connect or Implicit SSL/FTPS
This is an older but still common method for establishing FTP with TLS/SSL.
FTP with TLS/SSL should not be confused with SFTP (SSH FTP). SFTP is a separate protocol to FTP whereas FTP with TLS/SSL uses FTP, but is wrapped within an additional encryption layer. SFTP is explained in greater depth below.
When BackupAssist connects to a server using SFTP, SSH encryption protects the connection between the machine running BackupAssist and the server you are transferring data to, ensuring that your backup data and password are protected against potential intruders. SFTP is a separate protocol to FTP and does not support all of the commands and features of FTP. SFTPs advantage is that it does not have active and passive connection modes, which makes it more compatible with firewalls, routers, and NAT devices.
To use this connection type in BackupAssist the server you wish to transfer your backup file to must support SFTP connections. If you try to connect using SFTP and the server does not support this connection type the backup file transfer will not work. Your network administrator should be able to tell you if your FTP server supports SFTP connections. Alternatively you can choose this server type and click Test connection in BackupAssist to determine if your server supports SFTP.