With the non-stop advancement of digital media and tech, there’s more memory-eating files being developed than ever before. Because of this, the need for efficient and secure data movement is becoming extremely important. Whether it’s raw video footage or a CAD document - unfortunately, with big files come some even bigger challenges. So, we’re using this blog to help you break down modern media transfer in more detail. 

We’ll explore what transfer options no longer work, what’s on the horizon, and how cutting-edge media companies can tackle the need to send colossal media files with new solutions, including 10Gb ethernet and leased lines.  Let’s begin. We’ll start by looking at some of the more common ways to share media and why they may no longer be suitable for mega file sizes: 

Freemium browser-based transfer tools 

We won’t name their names, but you’ll be aware of the popular freemium data transforming platforms out there. They’re great for lots of things but they weren’t created for professional media usage and they’re unfortunately quite vulnerable to human errors, firewall issues and large file incompatibility – which is why a lot of IT policies ban these platforms in the workplace. 

Traditional FTP  

FTP has been the file transfer standard for quite a long time. While technically free to use, it has risks. The traditional way FTP has been uploading files directly to a web server, this method had serious security risks. If any of these files contain malware and you upload it to a sever via FTP, you’re risking your web server and any sensitive content.

Its original design doesn’t quite meet the demands of today’s media files, especially when it comes to size, speed and ensuring the recipient can access the file quickly from wherever they are in the world. Whichever file transfer method you use, a 10Gb leased line can help significantly. 10Gbps upload and download speeds could help boost your productivity and put a stop to data bottlenecks too. 

Shipping Hard Drives 

When faced with FTP limitations, some companies resort to downloading large files to hard drives and sending them out physically.  A classic hard drive can accommodate vast amounts of data but if you have to send these with a courier every day, the costs will start to rocket! Using hard drives will eventually eat internal resource and of course, there are environmental concerns to consider too.  We’ve established what file transfer methods are outdates or have risks attached, but what is the solution? How do we now prepare for the future, ensuring media businesses can send extremely large files with minimal hassle? We need to start with… 

Cloud storage systems and large data transfer tools  

The best ways to transfer, send or share large files between businesses is through cloud storage systems and big data transfer tools that have a modern approach to FTP – specifically, SFTP, which is short for SSH File Transfer Protocol, it is a secure alternative to FTP that's built on top of the SSH protocol    However…  

The only trouble is, these great tools don’t work alone!    Cloud storage systems are great, but they only work well in collaboration with rock-solid connectivity, and in some cases, a lightning-fast 10Gb internet connectivity This is because you need to think about the following points:   

• Will the connectivity on your current network stay stable while transferring extremely large files? 

• Does your ethernet capability mean you can reliably transfer files over any network — especially high-latency environments and WANs? 

• When your team are working with very large files, do they have the autonomy to manage the workflow, or are they constrained by the limitations of data transfer? 

After considering your requirements, you may find that a 1Gb leased line could meet your needs. But if your business has even a handful of high-bandwidth users, then 10Gb connectivity could be put a stop to data transfer bottlenecks and empower productivity too. However, 10Gb leased lines aren't commonplace yet. A majority of businesses still rely on ‘traditional’ ethernet connectivity, which maxes out at 1Gb. And that’s still pretty speedy – just not blazingly so. If you’re not ready for 10Gb, a leased line can provide flexibility.

With a choice of speeds from 10Mbps to 10Gbps and unlimited usage, our Dedicated Leased Lines deliver the scalability you need to stay ahead of the curve as your requirements evolve. And you only pay for what you need. 

For businesses with intensive data needs, 10Gbps speeds for both uploads and downloads can allow teams to work more collaboratively, ensuring swift, secure transfers of media. Industries such as creative, healthcare, and tech, where there are often 10 or more heavy-bandwidth users, can particularly benefit from these speeds.

Opting for a 10Gb leased line is also a strategic move for any business planning to future-proof its connectivity. At TalkTalk Business, we take pride in offering a wide range of solutions designed to support businesses of all sizes and their unique objectives. 

For more information about what this service can offer you, click here to see our product page. Or, call our expert team on 03300 297 465.