GridFTP: FAQs


Q: To install GridFTP, do I need to install all the components of Globus?

A: No. GridFTP can be installed and used independently.

To install GridFTP:

  1. Download the Globus installer tarfile from www.globus.org/toolkit/downloads/: either source or binary.
  2. Uncompress the installer tarfile.
  3. Configure and install just GridFTP: 
        ./configure
    make gridftp

This will install just the software needed for GridFTP, and only what you need for GridFTP.

Q: What does 'make gridftp' install?

A: It installs the GridFTP server (globus-gridftp-server), command line client (globus-url-copy) and GridFTP software development libraries. It is possible to install just the server or client alone. Instructions on how to do this available at: http://www.globus.org/toolkit/docs/latest-stable/data/gridftp/admin/#gridftp-admin-installing

Q: Does GridFTP require the use of GSI?

A: No. GridFTP can be run in a mode using standard SSH security credentials. It can also be run in anonymous mode and with username/password authentication. Details are available at http://www.globus.org/toolkit/docs/latest-stable/data/gridftp/admin/#gridftp-admin-config-security.

Q: Is GridFTP backward compatible with FTP?

A: Yes. The GridFTP protocol is a backward-compatible extension of the legacy FTP protocol. If the GridFTP server is run in anonymous mode or with username/password authentication, any FTP client can be used to access the GridFTP server.

Q: What are the advantages of using GridFTP over FTP?

A: GridFTP provides a number of features that are not available in legacy FTP. Some of the main features in the Globus implementation of GridFTP are listed at http://www.globus.org/toolkit/data/gridftp/advantage.html.

Q: I'm encountering some problems with GridFTP, where can I get help?

A: Send email describing your problem to gridftp-user at globus dot org. GridFTP developers and other GridFTP users can help resolve your problem.

Q: I just installed GridFTP but the performance is no better than FTP.

A: One of the most common problems why users do not initially see the performance advantage with GridFTP is because the default TCP buffer size was used. To ensure maximum performance, it is highly recommended to set the TCP Buffer size to the bandwidth delay product:

[Buffer size (KB) = Bandwidth (Mbs) * Round trip delay time(ms) / 8]

If you are using globus-url-copy, you can set the TCP buffer size using the option -tcp-bs. It will take care of setting it on the server end as well. You need to make sure that the operating system on the machines allows you to set the desired buffer sizes. More information on TCP tuning is available at http://fasterdata.es.net/TCP-tuning/.

If the operating system does not allow you to set the desired TCP buffer size, you can use parallel streams. Even if the operating system allows you to set the desired buffer size, you may have to use parallel streams to get better performance in some situations. For more information see Performance Tuning of GridFTP.

Q: Can I use UDT with GridFTP?

A: Yes. Instructions on how to do it is available at http://www.globus.org/toolkit/docs/latest-stable/data/gridftp/admin/#gridftp-config-udt.