FTP / FTPS Source
The FTP source acts as a virtual FTP server. You can point your legacy hardware, cameras, or software to it, and Rilavek will ingest the stream.
Supported Protocols
Rilavek supports two variants of traditional FTP to balance legacy compatibility with security:
FTP
Pure, unencrypted protocol for maximum compatibility with old hardware (PLCs, older NVRs) and performance.
FTPS
FTP with SSL/TLS encryption. The standard choice for securing legacy FTP workflows without changing the protocol structure.
When to use FTP vs FTPS?
Why choose FTP?
- Legacy Support: Many older PLCs and industrial sensors do not support SSL handshakes.
- Internal Networks: Low overhead when security is handled at the network level.
- Simplicity: No certificate chain issues or handshake timeouts on weak hardware.
Why choose FTPS?
- Security: All credentials and file data are encrypted during transit via SSL/TLS.
- Compliance: Required for GDPR, HIPAA, or SOC2 regulated data transfers.
- Explicit Mode: We support Explicit FTPS (on port 21) for maximum client compatibility.
Protocol Comparison
| Feature | FTP | FTPS |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | Original RFC 959 | FTP over SSL/TLS (RFC 4217) |
| Encryption | None (Plaintext) | SSL/TLS |
| Security | Low | High |
| Firewall Ease | Difficult (Multi-port) | Difficult (Multi-port) |
Authentication & Ports
Authentication is now handled via Senders. You create a Sender (user, camera, etc.) once and assign it to one or more Pipes.
Login Formats
- Scoped Login:
username@pipe_short_id
Use this to explicitly select which Pipe to upload to if a Sender has access to multiple pipes.
- Port: 21 (Both FTP and FTPS)
Developer Note: If your firewall allows it, we highly recommend using our SFTP Source for a more modern, single-port integration.
Supported Operations
Rilavek's FTP gateway supports a comprehensive set of file management operations, making it behave like a real filesystem:
| Operation | FTP Command | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Upload | STOR | Stream files directly to your S3 destination |
| Create Directory | MKD | Create folders/prefixes in your storage |
| Remove Directory | RMD | Delete empty directories |
| Delete File | DELE | Remove files from storage |
| Rename | RNFR/RNTO | Rename or move files |
| List Directory | LIST/NLST | Browse files and folders |
| File Info | STAT/SIZE | Get file size and metadata |
| Download | RETR | Not Supported (Upload only) |
Note: Downloads (RETR) are intentionally disabled. Rilavek is designed as a secure ingestion gateway, not a general-purpose file server. This prevents data exfiltration through the FTP endpoint.
Supported Clients
Any standard FTP/FTPS client will work. We have verified compatibility with: