How do I add an FTP server?

FTP Interface

File Transfer Protocol (FTP) lets you upload and download files from a server. That means you can use different computers to access files that are shared on the FTP server. You will need to set up the use the FTP Interface in System Management to upload files from Connect applications to an FTP server.

The FTP Interface is one more way you can share a report from a Connect application with another partner or business. Using an FTP site can simplify the process for sending and receiving files because the file is sent to the same shared directory every time.

For example, City ABC uses a third party bill provider to print utility bills. Every month City ABC uses an FTP server to send the utility bills to the bill provider. The bill provider downloads the file from the FTP server and then uses the information from the utility bill file to update the information on the bill providers online payment portal so City ABC's utility customers can use the online payment portal to view the updated utility balance and pay their utility bill. City ABC likes using the FTP site because they don't have to attach the billing information to an email and send it through email to the bill provider.

THe FTP Interface is available in the 2023.05 release.

Before you get started

You may need to update your user rights after the 2023.05 release is installed. Open Connect System Management > Security and then select Setup/Modify User Rights. Update the user rights to explicitly allow access to FTP Interfaces in System Management > Organization > Tasks.
Gather the following information about the FTP server: protocol, encryption, host name, port number, FTP user name and password, and the path and file name of the target directory. You may need to contact the FTP admin.

Adding an FTP server

1. Open Connect System Management > Organization > FTP Interfaces.

You may need to update your user rights after the 2023.05 release is installed. Open Connect System Management > Security and then select Setup/Modify User Rights. Update the user rights to explicitly allow access to FTP Interfaces in System Management > Organization > Tasks.

2. Click New (CTRL+N).

3. Set up the following information.

Connect will use the following credentials to connect to the FTP site.

FTP Interface, Example

Third party

Enter the FTP server name (up to 50 characters). Example: XYZ Online Bill Provider

Protocol

Select FTP for file transfer protocol. Select SFTP for secure file transfer protocol. SFTP adds a layer of security to protect files stores on the FTP server.

Encryption

Select the encryption being used by the FTP server to protect files on the FTP server. This option is not available if you're using the SFTP protocol.

If files will be encrypted with transport layer security, choose TLS. Only the recipient and sender can exchange data security.
If the files will be encrypted using a secure SSL connection via port 21, choose Explicit FTPS.
If the file will not be encrypted, choose None.

Host

Enter the url to the FTP site. Example: ftp://ftp.server_name

Port

Enter the port to use to transfer data to the FTP site. Port 21 is the default port for FTP commands and port 20 is the default port for FTP data.

User name

Enter the FTP site user name (up to 30 characters).

Password

Enter the FTP site password.

Error: Unsuccessful Connection

When I click Test Connect, the Unsuccessful Connection error displays on the screen. This error means there's a problem with the properties or credentials that have been set up to access the FTP site.

To troubleshoot this error, try these things:

Look for typos in the FTP Interface properties.
Verify the user name and password are correct.
Make sure the FTP Interface properties that have been selected are the right properties for the FTP site.
Contact the FTP site administrator to make sure the properties that you are using to set up the FTP Interface are correct.

202305, 2023Feb14