Direction in flows

Direction indicates the initiator of a file transfer in a flow, which can have multiple way points where direction changes. Direction is set in the protocol, and can be set differently in multiple places in flows with multiple protocols.

In the simplest flow, there is only the sender and receiver and the protocol for the transfer. The initiator of the transfer is configured in the protocol as:

• Sender pushes file. The sender is the initiator of the transfer request. The sender is the client and the receiver acts as the server.
• or
• Receiver pulls file. The receiver is the initiator of the transfer request. The receiver is the client and the sender acts as the server. The receiver's request triggers the sender to send the file.

A more complex flow might specify one or more relays between the sender and receiver. For example:

Source > Relay 1 > Relay 2 > Target

Direction in this flow is set in three places, as indicated in the following examples:

• Protocol between source and relay 1. Direction = Sender pushes file.
• Protocol between relay 1 and relay 2. Direction = Sender pushes file.
• Protocol between relay 2 and target. Direction = Receiver pulls file.