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SFTP

Riversoft® STCP DirectLink exchanges files with partners over SFTP (SSH File Transfer Protocol) in both connection directions: it can connect to the partner’s server or receive the partner’s connection. In both cases, files go both ways in the same connection.

ComponentWho starts the connectionFunction
SFTP connectorRiversoft STCP DirectLink (outbound connection)Connects to the partner’s SFTP server to send and fetch files.
SFTP DirectLink serviceThe partner (inbound connection)Receives the partner’s connection, who uploads and downloads files in their own mailbox.

Outbound connections (SFTP connector)

Send

    flowchart LR
    subgraph DL[Riversoft STCP DirectLink]
      SA["saida directory"] --> C[SFTP connector]
    end
    C -->|send| P[Partner SFTP server]
  

Fetch

    flowchart LR
    subgraph DL[Riversoft STCP DirectLink]
      C[SFTP connector] --> EN["entrada directory"]
    end
    P[Partner SFTP server] -->|fetch| C
  

Note

Sending and fetching can happen in the same connection: Riversoft STCP DirectLink first sends the files, then fetches the partner’s files. Depending on the mode configured in the user, the connection can also only send or only fetch.

Riversoft STCP DirectLink connects to the partner’s server by schedule, or when the operator starts the connection in the Riversoft Console Portal. In the same connection, it:

  1. sends the files available to the partner in the user’s mailbox (saida directory);
  2. fetches the partner’s files from the agreed directory and writes them to the entrada directory of the mailbox.
StepBehavior
SendThe file is written with a temporary name (temporary directory or extension, when configured) and renamed at the end. If the partner’s server already has a file with the same name, it may refuse the rename: Riversoft STCP DirectLink does not overwrite partner files.
FetchOnly files matching the configured mask are fetched.
After fetchingThe file can be copied to a backup directory on the partner’s server and, if configured, removed from the source directory.
NetworkThe connection can go through an HTTP, HTTPS, SOCKS4 or SOCKS5 proxy, and through a specific local address.

What to agree with the partner

ItemDescription
ServerSFTP server address and port.
CredentialUser and password, or the key pair: the private key stays in Riversoft STCP DirectLink and the public key is given to the partner.
Server identityFingerprint of the server key, to confirm that the connection is with the right partner.
DirectoriesWhere to deliver the files and where to fetch them, with the mask of the files to fetch.
Post-processingWhether fetched files must be removed or moved to backup on the partner’s server.

These details are registered in the user, in the Riversoft Console Portal, together with the connection schedule.

Inbound connections (SFTP DirectLink service)

Upload by the partner

    flowchart LR
    subgraph DL[Riversoft STCP DirectLink]
      S[SFTP DirectLink service] --> EN["entrada directory"]
    end
    Q[Partner SFTP client] -->|partner upload| S
  

Download by the partner

    flowchart LR
    subgraph DL[Riversoft STCP DirectLink]
      SA["saida directory"] --> S[SFTP DirectLink service]
    end
    S -->|partner download| Q[Partner SFTP client]
  

Note

Upload and download can happen in the same session: the partner decides which operations to perform while connected.

The partner connects to Riversoft STCP DirectLink with an SFTP client and the user registered for them. In the same session, they can:

  • upload files, which arrive in the entrada directory of the mailbox;
  • download the files made available to them in the saida directory.

The partner only sees their own mailbox.

AuthenticationHow it works
Public keyThe partner’s public key is registered in the user. This is the recommended option.
PasswordRiversoft STCP DirectLink user and password, with the user’s password policies and MFA.

The SFTP DirectLink service is registered in the instance network services, in the Riversoft Console Portal: address, port, server key and limits on connections and open files.

Security

  • Prefer key authentication to password authentication, in both directions.
  • Confirm the partner’s server fingerprint before the first exchange.
  • Allow the SFTP service port only from the partners’ addresses.
  • See the supported algorithms in Security: SFTP.