A method of transferring files in a data-processing network using a current node within the network includes reading an outbound content and outbound characteristics of an outbound file. An outbound message is created having outbound strings including a first set of the outbound strings representing the outbound characteristics and a second set of the outbound strings representing the outbound content. The outbound message is sent to a receiver node within the network. An inbound message is received from a sender node within the network. The inbound message has inbound strings including a first set of the inbound strings representing inbound characteristics and a second set of the inbound strings representing inbound content. An inbound file having the inbound content is stored, and the inbound characteristics are applied to the inbound file.