Chapter 1   Introducing iPlanet Partner Agent for ECXpert Windows Client Software

This chapter gives some background on the iPlanet Partner Agent for ECXpert client/server system and the features of the Partner Agent Windows Client in particular.

The following topics are discussed in this section:

• The Partner Agent for ECXpert Client/Server System



• Partner Agent Client Features and Benefits

The Partner Agent for ECXpert Client/Server System

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Partner Agent for ECXpert is a client/server solution for secure file transfer and automated document processing. Partner Agent products work with the ECXpert system to provide high performance file transfer capabilities as well as state of the art security, reliability, and automation. Partner Agent is fully compatible with FTP and HTTP(S) standards.

Partner Agent is made up of the Partner Agent Server and the Partner Agent Client. Partner Agent Server is integrated with ECXpert, turning ECXpert into a secure file transfer site. Partner Agent Client runs as a stand-alone application that turns your PC into a powerful, secure, and reliable download and upload manager for exchanging files with ECXpert, as well as with other machines.

Partner Agent allows Client users to exchange files directly with ECXpert. Partner Agent uses the ECXpert submit utility to upload files from the Client to ECXpert, where they are processed further as required. It uses the ECXpert poll utility to retrieve files downloaded from ECXpert; these files can be viewed and processed using the Client.

Partner Agent is scalable, making it an ideal building block for industrial-strength extranet applications.

Partner Agent Server

Partner Agent for ECXpert Server is a customized, pre-configured system that allows you to turn ECXpert into a secure file transfer site.

In addition to integrating state-of-the-art security standards, such as Secure Socket Layer (SSL) and digital certificates (X.509), Partner Agent contains a sophisticated access control system as well as EnGuard^TM security auditing software that automatically warns of potential security issues.

Partner Agent also guarantees Extranet data delivery and data integrity while protecting corporate bandwidth.

Partner Agent's functionality is extended through a plug-in architecture that uses ActiveAgents. ActiveAgents are transactional software agents that call ECXpert APIs to initiate events based on file transfers and to also feed information into back-end applications, such as databases, enterprise scheduling software, and network printing operations. ActiveAgents also make it easy to add third-party functionality to Partner Agent, such as virus scanning, file format conversion, or additional security mechanisms as required.

Partner Agent Server comes with a browser-based administration system, which can optionally be used to reconfigure the Server in special circumstances; it is not needed in most cases since the Server is already preconfigured for optimal, secure performance with ECXpert. It also comes with a secure command line client, which can optionally be used for testing the system.

Partner Agent Client

Partner Agent Client software for Windows 98/95 and NT provides high-performance, reliable, and secure file transfer of critical business documents between your Windows desktop and ECXpert or other machines—over your intranet, business extranet, or the Internet.

You can also use a standard browser as a client for file transfers to non-ECXpert machines.

Partner Agent Client Features and Benefits

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The Partner Agent Windows Client has all of the standard features of regular FTP and more. The Windows Client offers the following additional features to a typical file transfer:

• Partner Agent provides unparalleled reliability when transferring large files (100Mb - 4Gb) over unreliable network connections, dial-up connections, overloaded servers, or the Internet. You can restart a file transfer if the connection is interrupted or the transfer is terminated for some reason.



• FTP file transfers to ECXpert.



• FTP, HTTP, or HTTPS file transfers to non-ECXpert machines.



• SSL.



• Security through encryption of all communications.



• Supports X.509 certificates for authentication of client and server identities.



• Supports Tunnel Mode, which is a firewall-friendly mode that allows you to connect securely through a firewall or proxy server.



• MD5 checksums of local and remote files.



• Supports mirrored server locations.



• Provides highly reliable, high performance, and secure transfer of large files over the Internet or private network when accessing a Partner Agent Server.



• Client-side APIs allow the output of the server-side ActiveAgents, such as the ECXpert tracking ID of submitted and retrieved files, to be displayed in the user interface.








Table 1-1    Partner Agent Client features and benefits 

Features	Benefits
Supercharged File Transfer
Secure and reliable downloading and uploading of very large files. Adds high performance file transfer capabilities to your Web browser. Secure server. Complete system customability and tensibility through ActiveAgents APIs. Compatible with FTP and HTTP protocols.	Allows customers to design, deploy, and access a new generation of network-accessible business services, online software distribution systems, digital rights management systems and business-to-business commerce.
Rapid Resume
Automatically restarts transfers if network connection fails. Restart transfers from where the last transfer left off. Allows you to pause and resume file transfers. Schedules file uploads and downloads for unattended transfer in one time or recurring fashions. Automatically rolls-over to alternate Partner Agent mirrored servers. Keeps a log of file tranfers.	Reliable high-performance transfer of large documents over unreliable network connections. Provides guaranteed "Fed-like" delivery of any number or size of files (documents, graphics, software, etc.), along with flexibility on scheduling automatic file uploads and downloads. Automatically accesses alternate mirrored Partner Agent servers in case of a failed connection.
Built-In Full System Security
Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) encryption, client and server. Support for X.509 digital certificates. Name and password support. Partner Agent server has extensive security features.	Provides a range of security options for ensuring that files, IDs and passwords are transferred securely. Partner Agent Server provides a complete suite of access controls and security monitoring systems to ensure server security.
ActiveAgents
Client and server-side Application Programming Interfaces (API). Automatically generate content processing based on client file requests. Automatic post-processing of transferred files.	Allows the functionality of Partner Agent to be easily extended by defining processes that take place on files coming or going from the client or server. (For example, automatically send notices on database changes, virus scan incoming data before accepted, serial number stamping, preload a file into a database).
Easy to use
Drag-and-drop interface. Client runs as a standalone application and as a Netscape Navigator protocol handler.	Makes the process of transferring files easy and intuitive. Seamlessly supercharges the file transfer functionality of your Netscape Navigator browser.
Cross-Platform
Windows 98/95/NT Client. UNIX command-line client. Netscape Navigator support (versions 2.0 and up). Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.0. Microsoft Internet Explorer 3.0 via drag-and-drop links from your browser to Partner Agent. Note: Internet Explorer has a bug that prevents third parties from directly enhancing its file transfer capabilities. Microsoft has fixed this bug for Internet Explorer 4.0.	Allows customers to deploy Partner Agent on the industry-leading hardware and software platforms across the organization.
Based on Industry Standards
TCP/IP FTP HTTP SSL HTML	Allows seamless integration of Partner Agent into your intranet or Extranet.