SFTP for mandate files

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A. Introduction

One way of providing the CSV file (containing SDD mandates) to the ISX team is by uploading it to an SFTP folder.

SFTP was developed to securely transfer and manage files over a TCP/IP network. SFTP uses the same commands as standard FTP. SFTP performs numerous tasks, including transferring sensitive files, removing files and resuming paused transfers. To establish server connections, SFTP only needs to be connected to the normal SSH port 22. SFTP needs an SFTP client and server. An STFP client is software that lets users connect to a server and store or retrieve files on or from the server. Files are stored and retrieved from the STFP server. When a user clicks on a file, the request travels through the network and reaches a server. This data is then sent to the requesting device. SFTP ensures all files are encrypted before transferring them. SSH keys are typically used to automate access to servers and are often used in scripts, backup systems and configuration management tools. SSH keys in SFTP have half of the key stored on the client device, whilst the other half is on the server associated with a public key. Users are properly authenticated when SSH key pairs match. SFTP works over an SSH data stream to establish a secure connection. Encryption algorithms securely move data to a server, keeping files unreadable during the process. To further prevent unauthorised file access, authentication is also enabled. Users can choose to be identified by a user ID and password, SSH keys or both.

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How SFTP works

B. Procedure

Firstly, provide us with your public IP address from which you will be connecting to our SFTP server.

Secondly, provide us with a public key that will be used to access our SFTP server.

To create a new key pair, follow the guides in the resources below:

How to install and use puttygen to create new key pairs and change passphrases. Installing keys on server, managing SSH keys. - refer to the section: 'Creating a new key pair for authentication'.

How to use public/private keys for SSH and SFTP (Windows)

Then, you need to authenticate to our SFTP server with the username provided and with your private key generated using the above procedure.

Thirdly, you need to download and install an FTP client in order to use SFTP.

WinSCP is a free and open-source file manager, SFTP, FTP, WebDAV, Amazon S3, and secure copy protocol client for Microsoft Windows. WinSCP can be downloaded from here.

Once, WinSCP has been installed, in the ‘WinSCP Login’ dialog, click on the ‘Advanced’ button to access the 'Advanced Site Settings' dialog.

Then, click on ‘SSH’ > ‘Authentication’ in the tree on the left-hand side of the 'Advanced Site Settings' dialog.

In the ‘Private key file’ field on the right-hand side of the ‘Advanced Site Settings' dialog, browse for your private key file and then click on ‘OK’.

More information about the above WinSCP procedure can be found here (software documentation) and here (video tutorial).

C. Next steps