Aspera: An easy-to-install web browser plug-in that powers high-speed uploads and downloads, compatible with most standard browsers.

How Aspera Works

Setting up Aspera for GLOBALedit

• For many accounts the user only needs to download the Aspera Connect Plug-in and they are good to go. Aspera requires that TCP port 22 be open and UDP port 33001 - 33022 be open.
• TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) is one of the core protocols for providing reliable, ordered delivery of bytes from one program on a computer to another program on another computer. It is central to the web, email and FTP. TCP is optimized for accurate rather than timely file delivery and requires both the sender and receiver to acknowledge each other. The sender keeps a record of each packet in a transfer that is sent and waits for acknowledgement from the receiver before sending the next packet. This is the basis for FTP transfer and why transmissions can fail or time out if they are TCP only. TCP port 22 is a default port for allowing inbound and outbound traffic and most companies do not block this port.
• UDP (User or Universal Datagram Protocol) is a core protocol for the internet and dispenses with sender/receiver acknowledgements therefore resulting in a more timely delivery. Error correction is performed in the application (Aspera) not in the protocol (UDP) and UDP is used in streaming media like VOIP and online gaming. UDP port 33001 - 33022 should also be open in a general work environment.

High Speed File Transfer Using the Aspera Connect Plug-In

To utilize the high speed transfer you must download and install the Aspera Connect Plug-in. Please click on the following site, Aspera Connect Plug-in and follow the installation instructions for your machine. the Aspera download page automatically detects your computer and operating system and presents you with the correct plug-in for your machine.

For a step-by-step installation instruction, please click here for Aspera Instructions for MAC or here for Aspera Instructions for Windows.

Some companies or organizations have a firewall that prevents the high speed connection from occuring. To make the connection possible you or your IT department need to open the following ports:

• TCP - Port 22
• UDP - Port 33001 - 33022

• If your IT department or Tech Support requires more detailed information, please click here to go to the Aspera Technology Page.

Aspera Transfer Window

• In the Aspera Transfer Window you can further manage your upload or download. If you select the first blue graph button at the right you will open the Transfer Monitor. Here you will see a graph of the transfer in progress.

You can modify the speed of the transfer by lowering the slide-bar at the left of the graph. 

• If you want to view the location the file is being downloaded to or uploaded from select the second blue button

• You can also stop and then restart your transfer by selecting the third blue button . This can be very useful if you have one transfer in progress, but want to stop it and let another transfer take precedence. You can restart the transfer by selecting the third blue button again .

A transfer is not fully cancelled until you select the Clean Up button at the bottom of the Transfer Window.

How to send Aspera Logs for Troubleshooting

Aspera logs are located here:

• Windows:
C:\Program Files(x86)\Aspera\Aspera Connect\var\log\ or
C:\Program Files\Aspera\Aspera Connect\var\log\
• Mac:
~/Library/Logs/Aspera/