Atlas Exchange Technical Features
Automatic Recovery of Interrupted Transfers
Exchange monitors document movements throughout the entire process. If there is an interruption, Exchange records the point of failure. Once the connection is re-established, Exchange picks up at the very point of interruption.
Authentication
Exchange authenticates each user before initiating a session and also each file as it is received. Using X.509v3 standard digital certificates and its built-in PKI (Public Key Infrastructure) technologies it authenticates user identities and data to be exchanged. Exchange signs and encrypts the data to be sent and attaches the public key which will be used to verify the signature. Only the intended recipient can decrypt the file through the use of their private key.
Installation
Installation is undertaken by Atlas’ deployment programme which installs, updates and launches the client software in a matter of minutes.
Digital Signature Return Receipt
Each document contains the sender’s digital signature. When the recipient receives the document, the sender is notified by email and the signature of the recipient is stored in the database.
Encryption
Exchange incorporates Blowfish, a symmetric block cipher that takes a variable-length key, ranging from 32 bits to 448 bits (Exchange uses 128 bits) and Triple-DES (168 bits), chosen as the United States Government’s data encryption algorithm (Federal Information Processing Standard, FIPS, 46-3). For key Exchange, Exchange uses RSA key length, which the user can select: Minimal (1024 keys); Medium (1536 keys); or High (2048 keys).
Resilience
Exchange servers are built around a WAN mirrored Oracle database on multi-redundancy hardware housed in three geographically dispersed data centres.
Firewall Compatible
Exchange’s base installation utilises the HTTP gateway to transport all the required information over standard HTTP.
PKI (Public Key Infrastructure)
Exchange can utilise PKI services from its own built-in certificate system or from an external certificate system server. Functions performed by the Exchange built in digital certificate system include: issuing certificates to clients, validating certificates, revoking certificates and maintaining Certificate Revocation Lists. Exchange includes support for VeriSign and other public certificate authorities.
Secure File Transfer
Exchange’s enhanced FTP server kernel uses standard system encrypted TCP/IP sockets, transfers the file and then issues “critical notifications” to the Exchange server, including file name, its physical location on the server and FT (File Transfer) protocol parameters.
Atlas’ patented process enforces a secure connection.
Transaction Logging
Exchange features an extensive system to track and log each message. The server records every contact on an industry standard SQL DBMS and a query by document, user, session, time period, for example. Detailed flat file logs are also kept for diagnostics and performance metrics.
Data Management
The Exchange server stores permanent system data in any JDBC compliant DBMS and can perform processing and audit functions. All major SQL-based database management systems (DBMS) are supported.
Application Integration
Exchange can be easily integrated with existing systems and applications such as ERPs, legacy systems and Microsoft BizTalk. These applications can control the Exchange client through a comprehensive application programme interface with optional event notifications through IBM MQ Series channels.
To access Exchange you can choose any one of these interfaces:
GUI - Exchange Windows Software
CUI - Exchange Command Line Software
SDK – Software Development Kit
EDI/XML - Atlas EDI and Enterprise Software
Multiple Connectivity:
• FTP • FTPS • SOAP • HTTP • HTTPS • Email • AS1 • AS2 • AS3 • X400 • BIC FTP
Interconnects:
• Information Exchange (ex IBM) • Sterling • GXS Tradanet • GXS Trading Grid
• Teleordering • First Edition • Eirtrade