Below you find a step by step guide to learn how to configure FileZilla Pro Enterprise Server to authenticate SFTP users using Public Key Authentication, if you prefer you can watch our How to set up SFTP Public Key Authentication with FileZilla Pro Enterprise Server video tutorial.
Before connecting to an SFTP remote server, you’ll first need to create your own key pairs, if you don’t have your key pair yet, you need to create them first, using PuTTYgen or ssh-keygen.
Note:Tell users to communicate only the public key. Make sure users know the private key must remain private and must not be disclosed to anyone. If the private key is compromised the Admnistrator must be informed to remove the associated public key.
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How to set up SFTP Public Key Authentication
- Go to the Administration Interface and select Configure from the server menu
- Go to the Public Key
- Click on the Set public key button
- Paste the key into the edit box that pops up
Connect to SFTP with a key file:
- In FileZilla/FileZilla Pro Click New in the Site Manager dialog box
- Select SFTP – SSH File Transfer Protocol
- Enter the IP address or the host name of your server
- Select key file as the logon type
- Enter the username
- Enter the path for the key file.
- Click OK to accept the host.
FileZilla Pro connects to the server with the configured Key.
The unknown host key dialog is shown. You have to confirm it is correct.
Note: the host key is different from the user key. The host key is used to validate the server’s identity by the client, while the user key is used by the client to authenticate and login to the server.
The video tutorial below shows how to configure FileZilla Pro Enterprise Server to authenticate SFTP users using Public Key Authentication.