Thread: FTP and SFTP question - which one to use

Hi,

I am trying to use SFTP to upload files from my webspace, but I don't know how? and I cannot find any info on UH's BoK

I have tried using FileZilla but it kept failing and now I am trying via WinSCP,

It is asking me for my
Host Name : I know this
Port Number: I know this
User Name: I know this
Password: I know this
Private Key File: I do not know how to do this.
Can someone help me? where do I find or create a PuTTY Private Key File (.ppk)

OR
as the webspace has an SSL Cert..
would I be better selecting FTP with
a) SSL/TLS Implicit encryption
b) SSL Explicit encryption
c) TLS Explicit encryption

Please help.. totally confused......

Option one is sFTP this uses SSH to FTP.

Option 2 is FTPs this is FTP with SSL.

Either are fine, and both use exactly the same login credentials as normal FTP, just with the different options ticked depending on the type of connection you wish to make.


To generate the private key:

Go into your cPanel control panel and go to the "SSH/Shell Access" section.

After you have generated your SSH key pair click on the private key link at the bottom of the page corresponding to the key pair that you have just generated.

Copy the content of the text area, paste it in an empty file on your computer and save it.

Open Filezilla, click the Edit button from the menu then select Settings.

Select SFTP from the left menu.

Click the Add keyfile... button and select the file that you have just created with the private key pasted inside.

You will be prompted to convert the file to a supported but unprotected format (no password), confirm it by clicking the Yes button and type your password.

Filezilla will ask you to store the key in the putty format. Save it somewhere on your computer.

Connect to your server using the usual login details.

hi, neither are working for me. I have only ever been able to connect via insecure FTP

If i select FTPs - both Filezilla and WinSCP return the same error -
Error: Connection timed out
Error: Could not connect to server

and the if I use SFTP both filezilla and WinSCP return :
Error: Authentication failed.
Error: Critical error
Error: Could not connect to server

I would check your ports in that case, could not connect to server means its not even getting as far as trying to use these protocols.

hi, submitted to the support desk before reading your last replay.

Using the port 22 for SFTP
Using the port 21 for FTP SSL Explicit

They are what automatically appear when I select the FTP method....?

Those ports are correct. I'll leave it for support to assist you further if you have opened a ticket with them, rather than duplicate work.