Since we released version 2.6 of StingRay file transfer server we’ve had a great uptake in those customers wanting to provide additional security for their customers when sending/receiving files, i.e. using HTTPS via a web browser.
Given that understanding SSL Certificates and the differences between self assigned and those purchased from a reputable supplier isn’t necessarily straight forward, I thought I’d provide you with a brief outline here.
Filling in the site information page as instructed in the ‘New Features in 2.6 Guide‘ will enable your StingRay to generate a Self Assigned SSL Certificate. This certificate will provide you and your users with the ability to use SSL to upload and download files via a web browser. You’ll also need to switch on HTTPS in the Network Configuration page under Web Access otherwise the StingRay will continue to use standard HTTP.
Now that you have SSL enabled you’ll be able to securely share files, but there is one major drawback with Self Assigned certificates - recent web browsers don’t trust them and flag it up to the user, in some annoying cases too often.
Internet Explorer doesn't like self assigned SSL Certificates
Obviously when providing a solution for your customers, staff, branch offices etc to send you files you don’t want any barriers in the way or more to the point to look like you don’t know what you’re doing. In this case you’ll need to purchase an SSL certificate. StingRay’s external web interface runs on Apache Server so we’d recommend if you want to purchase a certificate you do so from one of these preferred SSL Certificate suppliers.
Once you have this certificate you’ll need to contact us to assist you with uploading it into your server as there currently isn’t an option to upload your own through the web interface. As a maintenance customer you’ll get this service free of charge - for other customers this will be provided as part of your 2.6 upgrade.
Whilst we’re on the point of creating the certificates its worth pointing out that you’ll need to register it to a host name. Many people set up host names (or A records) for their StingRay as people better understand and remember names than IP addresses, for example our StingRay is accessible by both http://217.36.243.171 and http://stingray.pro2col.com but the later is much easier to remember.
You can pretty much use whatever host name you want but we generally recommend using stingray.domain.com. Its really important to make sure that when you’re doing this you DON’T use the host name ftp.domain.com as this will cause most web browsers to think that you want to use FTP and result in the web browser doing something like this below, rather than presenting a nice graphical interface for you to transfer files.
FTP protocol through a web browser
I hope this helps you to understand a little better how to get the best out of your StingRay. If you’ve got any questions make sure you give our sales or support teams a call on +44 (0) 333 123 1240.
Pro2col’s UK Support team received the first batch of new 1U StingRay file transfer servers today. As you can see Pete, who works in the Support and Customer Service team is thrilled to be modelling the server for our blog
Pro2col receives first 1U StingRay file transfer server at the Support department
Existing StingRay users are able to upgrade their servers up until 30th July at significantly discounted rates. Prospective StingRay customers aren’t left out as for the same period offers exist. For further information contact Pro2col Sales on 0333 123 1240 or email sales @ pro2col.com
Well its been a long time coming but finally we have the 1U appliance that we’d been after from Hermstedt AG. Smaller, faster and more robust we’re really pleased with the new server and hope our existing and new customers will be too!
We’ve created a short video to show you the server and to guide you through the process and why its a good idea to make the investment in the new hardware.
Regarding upgrading
If you are due a technology refresh to ensure the continuing reliability of your file transfer equipment, this is the perfect time to re-invest in the new, superior Hermstedt StingRay.
If your existing StingRay server is less than 3 years old then you’re alright, but if your StingRay server is installed in a high volume environment e.g. magazine and newspaper publishers picture desk workflow, upgrading should be a serious consideration.
Contact Pro2col, your local reseller or email info @ hermstedtstingray.com for pricing and further information.
Momentum is gathering with regard to development of the StingRay file transfer server. With Hermstedt not releasing any updates for a couple of years we thought we’d follow the 2.5.0 release in December with a 2.5.1 release in February. Whilst there are only a few minor changes they are not insignificant.
With the release of new features comes new challenges and as the Email Hyperlink feature was only text based there was always the potential for problems with the rather long hyperlinks to the files stored on the StingRay. With some PC email clients we found that the links were being broken so we bought out the HTML links as quickly as possible which certainly helped with the formatting of the emails too!
All StingRay users on version 2.5.0-x should now upgrade to the latest firmware version to take advantage of this enhancement.
I was trawling the Internet this evening and couldn’t help but let you know about this little piece of history I found. Not that I’m one to harp on about the good old days but some of the people working within the pre-media industry now are too young to have even worked with ISDN, to remember how easy it was to get files to and from customers. There was only one way of sending files via ISDN - 4-Sight or Hermstedt.
For those old timers in the industry who remember using ISDN here’s an article by John Henshall called “SAY GOODBYE TO THE WORLDWIDE WAIT“. It gives a good insight into what ISDN did for the graphic arts industry and is a completely nostalgic trip down memory lane. Written in 2000 it really wasn’t that long ago either, shows how quickly technology and in particular file transfer technology moves forward!
As the last supplier of ISDN products to the graphic arts and prepress industry I feel its our duty to provide for users a bit of the history of file transfer. John’s story reflects the position of many graphics businesses of the time who wanted to reduce the time to market and reduce the cost of sending disks, scans and other images using couriers.
