# 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="https://570593659-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FYMGRODsc2QD3N3wmfwTl%2Fuploads%2FHYxSew3kfb8v7hFL9z0l%2Fimage.png?alt=media&#x26;token=6c810848-9389-4d02-85a7-862d3fa57acb" 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](https://docs.tricloudnexus.io/management-portal/designer/assets/data-connectors/ftp-server) or one [File share data connector,](https://docs.tricloudnexus.io/management-portal/designer/assets/data-connectors/file-share) 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="https://570593659-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FYMGRODsc2QD3N3wmfwTl%2Fuploads%2FSCY1RemA84g3Enhupg2N%2Fimage.png?alt=media&#x26;token=b50b7406-2f62-45d0-a5d3-8466617635f8" 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="https://570593659-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FYMGRODsc2QD3N3wmfwTl%2Fuploads%2F2ASLM8J4ZkrGCDah58lD%2Fimage.png?alt=media&#x26;token=1fd487f3-37bf-4434-ab66-4319ca20ab50" 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](https://docs.tricloudnexus.io/management-portal/operations/monitoring/module-details/file-browsing-on-edge), 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.&#x20;
* **Confirm** that an FTP server **contains** the expected report **files** before configuring an [**FTP Job**](https://docs.tricloudnexus.io/management-portal/designer/assets/jobs/ftp-job)
* **Verify** the **directory structure** of a lab’s file share to correctly target **file patterns** in a [**File Share Job**](https://docs.tricloudnexus.io/management-portal/designer/assets/jobs/file-share-job)