Abstract:
A method, system, and computer program product for providing automatic reconfigurable secure File Transfer Protocol (sFTP) software for sFTP transfers for clients is provided. In one embodiment, a property file is created, wherein the property file contains configuration information, such as, for example, destination host, port, user ID, password, pickup directory, destination directory, and encryption public key, for each client. Software component parameters used for sending and receiving files via a FTP and for encrypting the files prior to sending the files and decrypting the files after receiving the files are configured based on the configuration information in the property file. The property file is monitored for changes and the software components for a client are automatically reconfigured if the property file changes to reflect the new configuration information.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     1. Technical Field  
         [0002]     The present invention relates generally to computer software and, more particularly, to secure transmissions across networks.  
         [0003]     2. Description of Related Art  
         [0004]     The “Internet” is a worldwide network of computers. Today, the Internet is made up of more than 65 million computers in more than 100 countries covering commercial, academic and government endeavors. Originally developed for the U.S. military, the Internet became widely used for academic and commercial research. Users had access to unpublished data and journals on a huge variety of subjects. Today, the Internet has become commercialized into a worldwide information highway, providing information on every subject known to humankind.  
         [0005]     The Internet&#39;s surge in growth in the latter half of the 1990s was twofold. As the major online services (AOL, CompuServe, etc.) connected to the Internet for e-mail exchange, the Internet began to function as a central gateway. A member of one service could finally send mail to a member of another. The Internet glued the world together for electronic mail, and today, the Internet mail protocol is the world standard.  
         [0006]     Secondly, with the advent of graphics-based Web browsers such as Mosaic and Netscape Navigator, and soon after, Microsoft&#39;s Internet Explorer, the World Wide Web took off. The Web became easily available to users with PCs and Macs rather than only scientists and hackers at UNIX workstations. Delphi was the first proprietary online service to offer Web access, and all the rest followed. At the same time, new Internet service providers rose out of the woodwork to offer access to individuals and companies. As a result, the Web has grown exponentially providing an information exchange of unprecedented proportion. The Web has also become “the” storehouse for drivers, updates and demos that are downloaded via the browser.  
         [0007]     In most Enterprise Application Integration (EAI) or enterprise data transfers, data needs to be secure and most of the data transfer is done using File Transfer Protocol (FTP). There are two types of secure FTP, one that establishes a secure channel and transmits and receives files using that channel. The other transmits and receives files that have been encrypted using a strong encryption algorithm over the public internet.  
         [0008]     Providing secure FTP this way is a challenge since we either need a configurable application/server that secures the channel itself or a configurable application that automatically encrypts the file and sends it to whichever destination the configuration suggests it to.  
         [0009]     There are few applications that provide secure FTP and these applications are neither automatic nor are they configurable to support multiple customers (destinations). Moreover there are not many systems that support a flexible secure FTP mechanism and it is expensive to customize these products. Therefore, it would be desirable to have a method, system, and computer program product an improved method for providing secure FTP that eliminates or reduces the problems associated with prior art secure FTP systems.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0010]     The present invention provides a method, system, and computer program product for providing automatic reconfigurable secure File Transfer Protocol (sFTP) software for sFTP transfers for clients. In one embodiment, a property file is created, wherein the property file contains configuration information, such as, for example, destination host, port, user ID, password, pickup directory, destination directory, and encryption public key, for each client. Software component parameters used for sending and receiving files via a FTP and for encrypting the files prior to sending the files and decrypting the files after receiving the files are configured based on the configuration information in the property file. The property file is monitored for changes and the software components for a client are automatically reconfigured if the property file changes to reflect the new configuration information.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0011]     The novel features believed characteristic of the invention are set forth in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, as well as a preferred mode of use, further objectives and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description of an illustrative embodiment when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:  
         [0012]      FIG. 1  depicts a pictorial representation of a distributed data processing system in which the present invention may be implemented;  
         [0013]      FIG. 2  depicts a block diagram of a data processing system which may be implemented as a server is depicted in accordance with the present invention;  
         [0014]      FIG. 3  depicts a block diagram of a data processing system in which the present invention may be implemented;  
         [0015]      FIG. 4  depicts an exemplary Universal Modeling Language (UML) for a configurable secure FTP application in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0016]      FIG. 5  depicts the Observer pattern  408  section of the UML  400 ;  
         [0017]      FIG. 6  depicts the factory pattern  410  section of the UML  400 ;  
         [0018]      FIG. 7  depicts the doubleton pattern  428  section of UML  400 ;  
         [0019]      FIG. 8  depicts the singleton pattern  430  section of UML  400 ;  
         [0020]      FIG. 9  depicts the facade pattern  426  section of UML  400 ; and  
         [0021]      FIG. 10  depicts a schematic diagram illustrating an exemplary configurable secure FTP application flow in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0022]     With reference now to the figures, and in particular with reference to  FIG. 1 , a pictorial representation of a distributed data processing system is depicted in which the present invention may be implemented.  
         [0023]     Distributed data processing system  100  is a network of computers in which the present invention may be implemented. Distributed data processing system  100  contains network  102 , which is the medium used to provide communications links between various devices and computers connected within distributed data processing system  100 . Network  102  may include permanent connections, such as wire or fiber optic cables, or temporary connections made through telephone connections.  
         [0024]     In the depicted example, server  104  is connected to network  102 , along with storage unit  106 . In addition, clients  108 ,  110  and  112  are also connected to network  102 . These clients,  108 ,  110  and  112 , may be, for example, personal computers or network computers. For purposes of this application, a network computer is any computer coupled to a network that receives a program or other application from another computer coupled to the network. In the depicted example, server  104  may provide files to or receive files from clients  108 - 112 . Additionally, clients  108 - 112  may communicate with each other to exchange files. Distributed data processing system  100  may include additional servers, clients, and other devices not shown.  
         [0025]     The present invention provides a simple yet configurable secure FTP using, for example, Pretty Good Privacy (PGP) to encrypt files with a provision to add in other security providers. It automatically sends and receives files to and from the configured hosts  104 ,  108 - 112 . PGP has become the industry standard for Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) encryption as used by applications, including FTP.  
         [0026]     The present invention addresses the problems with the prior art by providing a “text file” configuration that, when changed will cause an automatic update of the running application to incorporate the changes. Thus, from a maintenance perspective it is easy to implement.  
         [0027]     The present invention uses, for example, an existing PGP key-ring so it does not need any special needs as far as PKI infrastructure is concerned. Since the application is implemented, in one embodiment, as a pure java solution, it can be run from any platform. The configurable secure FTP of the present invention is described in greater detail below.  
         [0028]     In the depicted example, distributed data processing system  100  is the Internet, with network  102  representing a worldwide collection of networks and gateways that use the TCP/IP suite of protocols to communicate with one another. At the heart of the Internet is a backbone of high-speed data communication lines between major nodes or host computers consisting of thousands of commercial, government, education, and other computer systems that route data and messages. Of course, distributed data processing system  100  also may be implemented as a number of different types of networks such as, for example, an intranet or a local area network.  
         [0029]      FIG. 1  is intended as an example and not as an architectural limitation for the processes of the present invention.  
         [0030]     Referring to  FIG. 2 , a block diagram of a data processing system which may be implemented as a server, such as server  104  in  FIG. 1 , is depicted in accordance with the present invention. Data processing system  200  may be a symmetric multiprocessor (SMP) system including a plurality of processors  202  and  204  connected to system bus  206 . Alternatively, a single processor system may be employed. Also connected to system bus  206  is memory controller/cache  208 , which provides an interface to local memory  209 . I/O bus bridge  210  is connected to system bus  206  and provides an interface to I/O bus  212 . Memory controller/cache  208  and I/O bus bridge  210  may be integrated as depicted.  
         [0031]     Peripheral component interconnect (PCI) bus bridge  214  connected to I/O bus  212  provides an interface to PCI local bus  216 . A number of modems  218 - 220  may be connected to PCI bus  216 . Typical PCI bus implementations will support four PCI expansion slots or add-in connectors. Communications links to network computers  108 - 112  in  FIG. 1  may be provided through modem  218  and network adapter  220  connected to PCI local bus  216  through add-in boards.  
         [0032]     Additional PCI bus bridges  222  and  224  provide interfaces for additional PCI buses  226  and  228 , from which additional modems or network adapters may be supported. In this manner, server  200  allows connections to multiple network computers. A memory mapped graphics adapter  230  and hard disk  232  may also be connected to I/O bus  212  as depicted, either directly or indirectly.  
         [0033]     Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the hardware depicted in  FIG. 2  may vary. For example, other peripheral devices, such as optical disk drives and the like, also may be used in addition to or in place of the hardware depicted. The depicted example is not meant to imply architectural limitations with respect to the present invention.  
         [0034]     Data processing system  200  may be implemented as, for example, an AlphaServer GS1280 running a UNIX® operating system. AlphaServer GS1280 is a product of Hewlett-Packard Company of Palo Alto, Calif. “AlphaServer” is a trademark of Hewlett-Packard Company. “UNIX” is a registered trademark of The Open Group in the United States and other countries  
         [0035]     With reference now to  FIG. 3 , a block diagram of a data processing system in which the present invention may be implemented is illustrated. Data processing system  300  is an example of a client computer that may be implemented as any one of clients  108 - 112  depicted in  FIG. 1 . Data processing system  300  employs a peripheral component interconnect (PCI) local bus architecture. Although the depicted example employs a PCI bus, other bus architectures, such as Micro Channel and ISA, may be used. Processor  302  and main memory  304  are connected to PCI local bus  306  through PCI bridge  308 . PCI bridge  308  may also include an integrated memory controller and cache memory for processor  302 . Additional connections to PCI local bus  306  may be made through direct component interconnection or through add-in boards. In the depicted example, local area network (LAN) adapter  310 , SCSI host bus adapter  312 , and expansion bus interface  314  are connected to PCI local bus  306  by direct component connection. In contrast, audio adapter  316 , graphics adapter  318 , and audio/video adapter (A/V)  319  are connected to PCI local bus  306  by add-in boards inserted into expansion slots. Expansion bus interface  314  provides a connection for a keyboard and mouse adapter  320 , modem  322 , and additional memory  324 . In the depicted example, SCSI host bus adapter  312  provides a connection for hard disk drive  326 , tape drive  328 , CD-ROM drive  330 , and digital video disc read only memory drive (DVD-ROM)  332 . Typical PCI local bus implementations will support three or four PCI expansion slots or add-in connectors.  
         [0036]     An operating system runs on processor  302  and is used to coordinate and provide control of various components within data processing system  300  in  FIG. 3 . The operating system may be a commercially available operating system, such as Windows XP, which is available from Microsoft Corporation of Redmond, Wash. “Windows XP” is a trademark of Microsoft Corporation. An object oriented programming system, such as Java, may run in conjunction with the operating system, providing calls to the operating system from Java programs or applications executing on data processing system  300 . Instructions for the operating system, the object-oriented operating system, and applications or programs are located on a storage device, such as hard disk drive  326 , and may be loaded into main memory  304  for execution by processor  302 .  
         [0037]     Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the hardware in  FIG. 3  may vary depending on the implementation. For example, other peripheral devices, such as optical disk drives and the like, may be used in addition to or in place of the hardware depicted in  FIG. 3 . The depicted example is not meant to imply architectural limitations with respect to the present invention. For example, the processes of the present invention may be applied to multiprocessor data processing systems.  
         [0038]     The configurable secure FTP of the present invention is dynamically configurable. To achieve this, a property file is used to create individual configurations for clients/customers, with details such as, for example, destination host, port, user identification (ID), password, pickup directory, and Pretty Good Privacy (PGP) or other encryption public key file. The configurable secure FTP of the present invention has a low memory footprint and low resource usage. This is achieved by having the application functioning in threads and, as a rule, files are loaded in memory for processing. Because many enterprises and users may use non-PGP encrypted files, the security provider preferences of a client/customer are configurable and, in one embodiment of the present invention, the configurable secure FTP application has a facade used by the application. The present invention also provides for content isolation. The purpose of content isolation is to segregate the files by customer and keep the files and security context information local to that client or customer. This way one customer will not be affected by another customer configuration. Additionally, if there is an invalid configuration for a particular customer, this will be of no consequence to the FTP process of other customers. The configurable secure FTP application of the present invention also provides that the “receives” can be completely isolated from the “sends” as they are two different processes.  
         [0039]     With reference now to  FIG. 4 , an exemplary Universal Modeling Language (UML) for a configurable secure FTP application is depicted in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. The main application should run as a daemon and it is required that it has a small memory footprint. Therefore the application is implemented using threads and care is taken such that files are used only by reference to file paths. Files are accessed for encryption and/or compression and decryption only.  
         [0040]     The classes used by the application are 
        SecureFTP—the main application class (daemon thread)     Gatherer—the file gatherers implemented as doubleton, one for send &amp; the other for receive     SecurityManager—Aggregates the various signing algorithm facades     PGP_Signer—Facade for any security provider     ClientFactory—Factory class to create clients with respective information     Client—Interface for objects that can hold a client&#39;s information     Configurator—object that dynamically configures the Client&#39;s information     Sender—the object responsible of sending an encrypted file to the destination listed by the client&#39;s configuration information 
 
 To explain the UML  400  better, the following sections define the patters used and the section following that will explain how all these fit together. The sections are: 
    The Observer depicted in  FIG. 5      The Factory depicted in  FIG. 6      The Singleton depicted in  FIG. 7      The Doubleton depicted in  FIG. 8      The Facade depicted in  FIG. 9         
 
         [0054]     With reference now to  FIG. 5 , the Observer pattern  408  section of the UML  400  is depicted. The Objects for this section are Configurator  438  and ClientFactory  412 . The Configurator  438  implements the observable interface  402  such that this changes whenever the property file changes. The ClientFactory  412  will be notified to update the client objects. The Configurator  438  is running on a thread of its own and will periodically check to see if the properties file has been modified. If the file has been modified, the changes are picked up by the Configurator object  438 . This change in properties is observed by the ClientFactory  412 . The ClientFactory object  412 , that runs in its own thread will automatically reconfigure itself and will update the properties of the Client objects.  
         [0055]     With reference now to  FIG. 6 , the factory pattern  410  section of the UML  400  is depicted. The ClientFactory  412  is the factory object for creating the individual objects that hold a client&#39;s information such as the PGP public key file, PGP Key, destination directory and destination host and port. Once the ClientFactory gets notified by the Configurator  438 , it builds/rebuilds its list of client objects. The classes are built by using reflection as this needs to be dynamically done and new client objects need be created. If the objects are already created then these objects are modified. The client objects exhibit a bean like behavior. The objects are serializable and hence can be persisted.  
         [0056]     With reference now to  FIG. 7 , the doubleton pattern  428  section of UML  400  is depicted. The Gatherer object  424  provides the implementation to check for files from a particular location in the hard disk and “pick it up” to either decrypt or encrypt and send it to the client. The doubleton  428  achieves the implementation of the pickup mechanism exclusively for send and receive.  
         [0057]     With reference now to  FIG. 8 , the singleton pattern  430  section of UML  400  is depicted. The Sender  434 , as the name suggests, sends a file via FTP to a known destination. This operation is requested by the SendFileGatherer object of Gatherer  424 . The sender  434  is implemented as a Singleton. Sender  434  is running on its own thread and has a (priority) queue of files and destinations. In this way it is ensured that only one send operation is done at a time.  
         [0058]     With reference now to  FIG. 9 , the facade pattern  426  section of UML  400  is depicted. The PGP_Signer object  422  is a facade for the PGP implementation of various security operations such as signing, encryption, decryption and compression of the file/streams, etc. This is implemented as a facade as this can be configured as client specific information. The application PGP for the signing and encryption, provided there is a class that acts a facade to use PGP methods for the application&#39;s needs. The SecurityManager  420  has a reference to the PGP interface facade  422 . Before the encryption is done, the SendFileGatherer  424  will apply the configured interface to sign or sign and compress the file before sending it to the Sender object  434  to send it to its destination.  
         [0059]     With reference now to  FIG. 10 , a schematic diagram illustrating an exemplary configurable secure FTP application flow is depicted in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. The application is started by loading the SecureFTP daemon  1004 . The daemon  1004 , creates the configurator  1002 ; the configurator  1002  reads the property files and notifies the ClientFactory  1006 . The client factory reads the information from the Configurator  1002  and creates a client object for each configuration. The daemon  1004  creates the Send  1008  and Receive 1012 file gatherers. Each gatherer  1008  and  1012  will cycle through the list of clients and will start to process the files in their respective directories. The send gatherer  1008  will encrypt the files and add the file path and client name to the Sender&#39;s queue to be sent via FTP by sender  1014 . The receive gatherer  1012  will decrypt the files and store the decrypted files locally in the configured directories on local storage  1016 . Both the send  1008  and receive 1012 file gatherers interact with the SecurityManager  1010  to get the facade object to apply the configured encryption/decryption algorithm to process the files. This cycle continues.  
         [0060]     Those skilled in the art will recognize various modifications that can be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention. For example, non-PGP methods could be used for encrypting and decrypting files. By doing this, the product is enhanced to cater to other encrypting algorithms. (in accordance with the underlying architecture.) The configurable secure FTP application may also be modified to utilize compression/decompression methods before encryption/decryption to reduce payload.  
         [0061]     It is important to note that while the present invention has been described in the context of a fully functioning data processing system, those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the processes of the present invention are capable of being distributed in the form of a computer readable medium of instructions and a variety of forms and that the present invention applies equally regardless of the particular type of signal bearing media actually used to carry out the distribution. Examples of computer readable media include recordable-type media such a floppy disc, a hard disk drive, a RAM, and CD-ROMs and transmission-type media such as digital and analog communications links.  
         [0062]     The description of the present invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the invention in the form disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. The embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention, the practical application, and to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the invention for various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.