TCP/IP FTP gateway, a component of GXS, enables subscribers to use either Managed Data Network Services or the Internet for sending FTP files to, and receiving FTP files from, the Information Exchange mailbox.

• TCP/IP FTP gateway is one of a suite of EDI Services components designed to help you increase participation in your EDI program through solutions that are easy for trading partners to implement. These services can help extend your reach to small and medium-sized trading partners around the world who have not had the resources required for traditional EDI systems.

• With the TCP/IP FTP gateway, trading partners can use their existing systems to send and receive business transactions to you via Information Exchange. All users of the gateway must also be registered users of Information Exchange. Trading partners can access Information Exchange using the same methods they use for other FTP communications.
• In general, the TCP/IP FTP gateway for the Internet provides the following:
• An FTP interface to Information Exchange
• Support for sending and receiving both EDI and free-format data files between authorized Information Exchange customers
• Additional value-added functions of Information Exchange.

• The TCP/IP FTP gateway for the Internet can provide an easy-to-implement solution for trading partners who already have a high-bandwidth LAN connection to the Internet. With this service, trading partners only need a suitable FTP client, an Internet connection and a subscription to the Information Exchange service. Other than fees paid to the Internet service provider (ISP), the trading partner does not pay network charges. For the GI hub company, it's "business as usual" - but with extended reach to a broader range of trading partners.

• The TCP/IP FTP gateway enables Information Exchange to look like an FTP server to end users, who can assess value-added functions of the Information Exchange mailbox in addition to sending and receiving files. These functions allow users to:
• List the contents of the mailbox
• Select files to be retrieved
• Retrieve files from archive storage
• Choose to receive only EDI data or only non-EDI data
• Retrieve audit trail information
• Delete files
• Verify the validity of a receiver prior to sending files
• Change user profiles and maintain trading partner profiles
• Create and retrieve information in the Information Exchange libraries facility.

• Recently, new facilities have been added to Information Exchange via the TCP/IP FTP gateway:
• The contents of the CDH will be retrievable for sent and received messages
• Users can define a message user class when sending EDI messages
• Automatic generation of a UNIQUEID for sent messages
• Enhanced alias processing

And specifically for the Internet:

• Revoking X.509 certificates for users of the TCP/TP FTP Internet gateway
• Expiry and renewal of X.509 certificates for users of the TCP/IP FTP Internet Gateway
• In addition, Information Exchange requires a valid account ID, user ID, and password to access the mailbox.

• The TCP/IP FTP gateway for the Internet requires the trading partner to install an FTP client that supports Secure Sockets Layer (SSL). At a basic level, SSL provides confidentiality, integrity and server authentication facilities. For authentication, SSL supports asymmetric cryptography, which requires the use of public key certificates. Customer documentation explains how to secure these certificates from a Certificate Authority.

Revoking X.509 Certificates

• Users who access the TCP/IP FTP gateway via the Internet may now contact Customer Care to have their certificates revoked. Users may wish to have their certification revoked if, for example, they are no longer using the service, or if they feel their access to the service may have been compromised.

Renewal of Expired X.509 Certificates

• Certificates issued to users who access the TCP/IP FTP gateway via the Internet expire after 365 days. A replacement certificate will automatically be sent to users during the 30 days preceding the expiry date.