Information Exchange functions

The TCP/IP gateway for the Internet allows File Transfer Protocol (FTP) customers to use Information Exchange and enables Information Exchange to look like an FTP server (or authorized application). You can send and receive EDI transactions using your existing communications methods of TCP/IP FTP. You can use FTP not only through the network but also over the Internet. Certificate processing ensures transaction security when you use the Internet; therefore, you must use a client program that is capable of processing certificates. Also, you can benefit from a variety of Information Exchange mailbox functions that allow users to:

• List the mailbox contents
• Select files for retrieval
• Retrieve files from archive
• Select to receive only EDI data or non-EDI data
• Retrieve audit trail information
• Delete files
• Verify the validity of a receiver prior to sending files
• Modify user profiles and maintain trading partner profiles
• Create and retrieve data within the Information Exchange library facility
• Retrieve CDH (common data header) information for sent and received messages
• Define a message class when sending EDI messages
• Automatically generate a UNIQUEID for sent messages
• Work with enhanced alias processing

The TCP/IP gateway for the Internet allows the use of Information Exchange by FTP users, including users of an Internet connection from an Internet service provider. Support for Internet users includes:

• Standards-based PKI infrastructure
• Extended certificate expiry period (2 years)
• Automated certificate issue and reissue using a Web interface
• Self-registration for existing Information Exchange customers who wish to try the new service
• Certificate in PKCS#12 format
• Wider choice of FTP clients

Customers who use the bTrade client should use Version 1 Release 3.8 or an alternative client. For more information about alternative clients that are available, please see the documentation on the certificate issue and reissue Web site.

The TCP/IP gateway for the Internet requires the trading partner or customer 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.

To use the TCP/IP FTP gateway, you need the following:

• X.509 certificate available from the certificate issue and reissue Web site (you are sent a pair of Identification tokens when you initially register for Information Exchange FTP over the Internet or if you submit a self-registration request)
• TCP/IP connection to the network or to the Internet
• Information Exchange account ID and user ID
• Secure client supporting SSL, compliant with Internet draft for FTP security extensions, and a certificate issued specifically for use with the Information Exchange FTP interface

  This draft standard is available from the Internet Drafts Shadow Directories on ds.internic.net (US East Coast), nic.nordu.net (Europe), ftp.isi.edu (US West Coast), or munnari.oz.au (Pacific Rim).

For client compatibility, see details on the certificate issue and reissue
Web site.