SSH File Transfer Protocol (SFTP)

SSH File Transfer Protocol (SFTP) is a secure version of the File Transfer Protocol (FTP) that facilitates data access and data transfer over a Secure Shell (SSH) data stream.

While the name is similar to FTP, SFTP is a completely different protocol built from the ground up to be secure. It handles both the authentication and the data transfer through a single, encrypted connection. Unlike FTPS, which requires multiple ports for data and commands, SFTP only requires Port 22. This makes it the preferred protocol for web developers and DevOps engineers, as it is easier to manage through firewalls and offers superior protection for website source code and configuration files.

Frequently Asked Questions

No. SFTP stands for SSH File Transfer Protocol. It is often confused with FTPS, but they are technically distinct. SFTP is part of the SSH suite, while FTPS is the legacy FTP protocol wrapped in an SSL/TLS layer.

Yes. Because SFTP can use SSH Keys for authentication, it is ideal for CI/CD pipelines. Automated scripts can securely upload code to a production server without needing a human to type in a password, provided the private key is stored securely in the deployment environment.

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