IBM BPM, V8.0.1, All platforms > Authoring services in Integration Designer > Services and service-related functions > Access external services with adapters > Configure and using adapters > IBM WebSphere Adapters > FTP

Overview of WebSphere Adapter for FTP

With WebSphere Adapter for FTP, you can create integrated processes that use IBM BPM or WebSphere Enterprise Service Bus to access files managed by an FTP server. You do not need to know the details of FTP communication or protocols.

After configuration, the adapter provides services in a Service-oriented architecture (SOA) implementation, to send and retrieve files. The adapter is part of a module that is deployed to IBM BPM or WebSphere Enterprise Service Bus.

The adapter exposes a service interface that hides the mechanics of how the data, or operations are obtained or run. Services outside of the module interact with the adapter instead of directly interacting with the FTP server, so authentication details (such as user name and password) that you provide when you set up a module are shielded from services outside of the module.

The module, which you create with the external service wizard in IBM Integration Designer, is a reusable unit designed to perform a specific inbound or outbound service. Each module uses a consistent interface and standard business objects, so applications consuming the service do not have to understand the lower-level details of the FTP server.

The following illustration shows how the adapter functions as part of an SOA implementation.

Figure 1. Adapter overview

WebSphere Adapter for FTP documentation