> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://cortex-docs.paloaltonetworks.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://cortex-docs.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex-xdr-3.x/cortex-xdr-3.x-documentation/data-management/data-ingestion/external-data-ingestion/additional-log-ingestion-methods/ingest-ftp-files-as-datasets.md).

# Ingest FTP files as datasets

{% hint style="info" %}

### Notice

Ingestion of logs and data requires a Cortex XDR Pro per GB license.
{% endhint %}

{% hint style="info" %}

### Note

This data source is only available in your tenant if the tenant was activated before October 1, 2025 with an active Cortex XDR Pro per GB license.
{% endhint %}

Cortex XDR can receive logs from files and folders via FTP, FTPS, or SFTP directly to your log repository for query and visualization purposes. After you activate the FTP Collector applet on a Broker VM in your network, which includes defining the connection details and settings related to the list of files to monitor and upload to Cortex XDR, you can collect files as datasets.

After Cortex XDR begins receiving logs from files and folders via FTP, FTPS, or SFTP, Cortex XDR automatically parses the logs and creates a dataset with the specific name you set as the target dataset when you configured the FTP Collector using the format `<Vendor>_<Product>_raw`. The FTP Collector reads and processes the configured FTP files one by one, as well as any new FTP files added to the configured files and folders, in the FTP directory according to the execution frequency of collection that you configured, and adds the data in these files to the dataset. You can then use XQL Search queries to view logs and create new Correlation Rules.

Configure Cortex XDR to receive logs as datasets from files and folders via FTP, FTPS, or SFTP.

1. [Activate the FTP Collector](/cortex-xdr-3.x/cortex-xdr-3.x-documentation/data-management/broker-vm/set-up-and-configure-broker-vm/broker-vm-data-collector-applets/activate-ftp-collector.md) applet on a Broker VM within your network.
2. Use the XQL Search to query and review logs.


---

# Agent Instructions
This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. Learn more at gitbook.com.

## Querying This Documentation
If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter, and the optional `goal` query parameter:

```
GET https://cortex-docs.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex-xdr-3.x/cortex-xdr-3.x-documentation/data-management/data-ingestion/external-data-ingestion/additional-log-ingestion-methods/ingest-ftp-files-as-datasets.md?ask=<question>&goal=<endgoal>
```

`ask` is the immediate question: it should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
`goal` is optional and describes the broader end goal you are ultimately trying to accomplish on behalf of the user. GitBook uses it to tailor the answer towards what is most useful for that goal.

The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.

Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.
