How to Speed Up Transfer of Large Files

Large files, such as an architect's blueprint or a software executable, can take longer to transfer. If you regularly transfer large files, you can use Multipart mode to speed up the transfer.

When in Multipart Mode, WS_FTP splits large files into smaller segments and downloads all segments via different, yet concurrent, connections. This decreases the total download time for large individual files.

Multipart works with download files only. It does not work with SSH connections. 

To use Multipart Mode:

1. In the toolbar, click Connect to open the Site Manager.
2. Select a site and click Edit.
3. Select the Transfer options and make sure that Maximum transfer connections is set to more than one.

   The number of connections made is determined by the number of additional connections specified here and the number of connections allowed by the server.

4. Click OK to close the Site Options, and then click Connect.
5. Select Tools > Multipart Mode. At the bottom of the FTP site's file list, you'll see the Multipart Mode icon.

   When you transfer files to this site, WS_FTP will use multiple data connections.

   The Transfer Manager displays the file, the number of segments that the file has been divided into, and the status of the transfer of each of the segments. When each of the segments is complete, the Transfer Manager shows the status of re-combining the segments into one file, if that process takes longer than 2 seconds.

   If there are no segments listed under the file being downloaded, then the file is not large enough to be divided.

6. To turn off MultiPart Mode, select Tools > Multipart Mode again.