# Browse Remote Filebased Data Connections

## Browse Remote Filebased Data Connections

The **Browse Remote Filebased Data Connections** feature allows you to test and explore any file-based data connection configured within your Asset Hierarchy.

If you have configured an **FTP Server** or **File Share** within the Asset Hierarchy and deployed the hierarchy to a device, the **FileTransferModule** will be deployed to that device. This module enables the Edge device to directly connect to the remote system, listing the available folders and files it can access.

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<figure><img src="/files/pQMfEIYyXxxJlUJ9tut7" alt=""><figcaption><p>Browsing a files on a remote FTP Server</p></figcaption></figure>

### Accessing the Feature

1. In the **Monitoring** section, navigate to the **Devices** tree
2. Select the target device
3. Choose the **FileTransferModule** from the module list
4. Select the **Browse Data Connectors** tab
5. Choose whether to browse a configured **FTP Server** or **File Share**
6. The Edge device will **try to connect** to the r**emote file based data connection**, to retrieve files and folders

{% hint style="info" %}
Make sure you have **configured** and **deployed** at least one [FTP Server Data Connector](/management-portal/designer/assets/data-connectors/ftp-server.md) or one [File share data connector,](/management-portal/designer/assets/data-connectors/file-share.md) otherwise the FileTransferModule may not be deployed on the device.
{% endhint %}

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### Browsing Remote Storage

Once a data connector is selected, the file browser will display the directory structure and available files directly from the remote system.

* **FTP Servers** – Lists folders and files available via an FTP, FTPS, or SFTP connection

<figure><img src="/files/UJTZeIYujOvpD90pNddQ" alt=""><figcaption><p>Browsing a files on a remote FTP Server</p></figcaption></figure>

* **File Shares** – Lists folders and files available from an SMB/CIFS-compatible network share

<figure><img src="/files/8MGw6sa9xmANagtlcZYV" alt=""><figcaption><p>Browsing a files on a remote File Share</p></figcaption></figure>

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### Key Points

* The **Edge device** initiates the connection to the remote server or share—no files are transferred unless explicitly done via a job or manual action.
* The browsing interface is similar to [File Browsing on Edge](/management-portal/operations/monitoring/module-details/file-browsing-on-edge.md), including:
  * Folder navigation
  * File list view and details pane
  * Sorting and search capabilities
* This functionality is ideal for **verifying credentials, connectivity, and file availability** before setting up automated file transfer jobs.

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### Example Use Cases

* **Troubleshoot access** issues by testing the remote connection directly from the deployed Edge device, to identify connectivity issues such as firewall, IP address, DNS name resolving etc.
* **Confirm** that an FTP server **contains** the expected report **files** before configuring an [**FTP Job**](/management-portal/designer/assets/jobs/ftp-job.md)
* **Verify** the **directory structure** of a lab’s file share to correctly target **file patterns** in a [**File Share Job**](/management-portal/designer/assets/jobs/file-share-job.md)


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