# Phases and contracts

Files enter Data Mover during the **input phase**. Either an **input contract** or a **connection contract** can be defined, depending on whether Data Mover collects the files or receives them:

* **Input contract**: Data Mover connects to the data producer and collects the files. This role is referred to as the **Data Mover client role**.
* **Connection contract**: Data Mover receives the files from the producer. This role is referred to as the **Data Mover server role**.

In the **mediation phase**, when files are transformed for the output phase, a **mediation contract** is defined to apply specific actions to the files, such as encryption, renaming, and zipping.

In the **output phase**, when the files leave Data Mover, either an **output contract** or a **connection contract** can be defined, depending on whether Data Mover sends the files or waits for the consumer to collect them: 

* **Output contract**: Data Mover sends the files to the data consumer. This role is referred to as the **Data Mover client role**.
* **Connection contract**: Data Mover waits for the consumer to collect files. This role is referred to as the **Data Mover server role**.


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