File Transfer Access and Management (FTAM) protocol is a standard ISO application protocol that enables file transfer, access, and management between client and server systems in an open environment. FTAM works similarly to FTP and NFS in the TCP/IP environment. It allows users to access files on various systems that use FTAM-compliant implementations.
FTAM defines the architecture of a hierarchical virtual file store in terms of file structure, file attributes, and the types of operations that can be performed on files and their attributes. The protocol doesn’t specify the actual user interface for file access and management but only the underlying architecture of the system.
Although it aims to combine file transfer and remote access to open files into a single protocol, FTAM hasn’t been widely adopted, and the TCP/IP-based Internet has become the dominant global network.
FTAM was previously used in the German banking sector to transfer clearing information. Today, the mandatory support for BCS over FTAM has ceased, and it has been replaced by the more modern Banking Internet Communication Standard (EBICS), which was introduced in 2010.
FAQs
What’s the difference between FTAM and FTP?
FTAM and FTP are both protocols used for file transfer, FTP is designed specifically for TCP/IP-based networks, while FTAM is an ISO protocol that provides file transfer services between client and server systems in an open environment.
Why hasn’t FTAM been widely adopted?
FTAM, like other OSI protocols, hasn’t been widely adopted since the TCP/IP-based Internet has become the dominant global network. Additionally, the standard doesn’t specify the actual user interface for file access and management, only the underlying architecture of the system.
What were common use cases for FTAM?
FTAM was commonly used in the German banking sector to transfer clearing information. However, with the introduction of the Banking Internet Communication Standard (EBICS) in 2010, FTAM is no longer mandatory.
Final Thoughts
FTAM is an ISO protocol that enables file transfer, access, and management between client and server systems in an open environment. Although it aims to combine both file transfer and remote access to open files into a single protocol, FTAM hasn’t been widely adopted. However, it was used previously in the German banking sector to transfer clearing information. Today, it has been replaced by other more modern protocols, such as the Banking Internet Communication Standard (EBICS).
