Obtain sFTP host key directly from the ServU server. (2024)

FAQs

How to generate SFTP host key? ›

Site administrators can generate an SSH key for a user account. Type "SFTP/SSH Keys" in the search box at the top of every page and then click the matching result. Click Add SFTP key, and and select the Generate in browser option, then selecting Generate key pair.

SSH host keys

They are automatically created when OpenSSH is installed. Usually, they're stored in the /etc/ssh directory with the file names ssh_host_rsa_key , ssh_host_dsa_key , ssh_host_ecdsa_key , and ssh_host_ed25519_key . The corresponding public keys end in .

SSH host keys are public/private key pairs that belong to SSH and SFTP servers. They are used by clients to verify the identity of the server when connecting. The private key is stored server side, while the public key is presented to the client during the connection operation.

The user's Public & Private Keys are a pair of keys used to authenticate a client when it connects to an SFTP server. The user's private key is kept secret and stored locally on the user's PC while the user's public key is uploaded and registered on the SFTP server the user connects to.

To export an existing host key certificate or public key, open your desired Keys module (See Key management overview). Select the Host Keys tab, select a key and click on the Export > Certificate or Export > Public key button.

Your FTP/SFTP (host) address is your domain name (your_domain.com). You can also use the hostname of the server on which your account is hosted.

What is the difference between SSH client key and host key? ›

SSH client and host keys are used when an SFTP client attempts to connect and authenticate with an SFTP server. Client keys authenticate the user connecting to an SFTP server. Host keys ensure that the SFTP client is connected to the correct SFTP server.

SFTP public keys are used as an alternative authentication method for establishing secure FTP connections when importing and exporting contacts. Instead of authenticating with a password, the public key authentication uses a pair of keys, one private and one public.

Definitions: A public key used for authenticating a host in the SSH protocol to hosts that want to communicate with it (each host also generally has its own private host key). Some hosts may have more than one host key (e.g., one for each algorithm).

Here's how the SFTP connection process works: Authentication: Upon connecting to the server, the client is required to provide valid SSH keys or, alternatively, a user ID and password, depending on the server's configuration. This step ensures that only authorized users can proceed.

Once you connect, WinSCP caches the fingerprint and will ensure, that the key is unchanged every time you connect later on. If you need to know the fingerprint later on for other purposes, like to verify the host key on another machine, or for automation, go to a Server and Protocol Information Dialog.