The CREST Simulator mimics the live CREST environment including the secure networks provided by Swift, Syntegra and the LSE. The main difference is that the Simulator service is provided over the internet rather than through a private network.

The majority of SFL's customers utilise the SFL CREST SimGateway for file transfer. The SFL CREST SimGateway is a windows application that manages the transfer of files between local and remote locations. SFL have developed the SFL SimGateway application to transfer files using the following methods:

• SWIFT
• SYNTEGRA
• LSE

To facilitate all customers, the SFL software is highly customisable. It can easily be configured to suit most set ups.

File Transfer Protocols

The normal protocol used for file transfer is FTP. The only drawback with FTP over the internet is that the communications are unsecured and are authenticated using plain text. However, for test systems, this does not cause a problem as test data is fictitious.

Although the majority of Simulator clients utilise normal FTP, some organisations no longer allow unsecure file transfer. It is for that reason that SFL have implemented the following secure methods of file transfer:

• Secure Shell SFTP (SSH2 - SFTP)
• SSL Enabled FTPS

Secure Shell SFTP

Secure Shell SFTP is a protocol that combines strong authentication and encryption processes to allow various functions. The SFL SimGateway and secure FTP server utilises the SFTP sub-protocol. This protocol is very similar to FTP in that it is used to transfer files between sites. Advantages of using Secure Shell SFTP:

1. The SSH and SFTP protocol utilises public and private keys.

2. The server will only allow access from clients with known public keys.

3. SFTP is much easier to route through a firewall as only one IP port is used.

SSL Enabled FTPS

Secure Socket Layer (SSL) is a protocol for encrypting and decrypting data across a secure connection from a client to an SSL enabled server. In SFL's case, the SSL-enabled server is our secure FTP server. Advantages of using SSL:

1.The process is secured through the use of digital certificates.

2. The SFL SimGateway and secure FTP server supports both Explicit and Implicit SSL negotiations.

Multiple Connections Setup

The CREST Simulator and CREST SimGateway can support multiple customer environments:

• Unit Test
• System Test
• UAT (user test)
• Pre-production test
• Training and other environments

The same file transfer application can be used to control the entire process.

The SFL Program Manager

SFL provide clients with a Program Manager to do the following:

• Monitor and control the SimGateway
• Perform automatic updates


SimGateway Monitoring and Startup

The Program Manager can be configured to start up multiple applications. The application will then monitor the status of the invoked application to ensure it is running correctly. If the Program Manager detects that an application has failed it will be terminated and restarted.

Automatic Updates

The SimGateway application can be configured to look for updates and prompt the user if it should apply the updates or not.

The SFL SimGatway and SFL Program Manager applications are configured through the use of INI files. SFL are on hand to help with any configuration changes.

If you wish to upgrade to the secure file transfer or require further information on the benefits of this enhanced secure connection please email or alternatively call: 01283 495215.