How to Set Up SFTP in CentOS
SFTP (Secure File Transfer Protocol) is a secure way to transfer files between a client and a server. In this tutorial, we will guide you through the process of setting up SFTP on a CentOS server.
Step 1: Install OpenSSH
The first step is to install OpenSSH on your CentOS server. OpenSSH is a suite of tools that provides secure communication between two systems using the SSH protocol.
sudo yum install openssh-server
Step 2: Configure SSH
Next, you need to configure the SSH server to allow SFTP access. Open the SSH configuration file in a text editor:
sudo vi /etc/ssh/sshd_config
Find the following line and uncomment it (remove the "#" at the beginning of the line):
Subsystem sftp /usr/libexec/openssh/sftp-server
Save the file and restart the SSH service to apply the changes:
sudo systemctl restart sshd
Step 3: Create SFTP User
Now, you need to create a new user who will have SFTP access. You can create a new user using the following command:
sudo adduser sftp_user
Set a password for the new user when prompted. Once the user is created, you can restrict their access to SFTP only by changing their shell to the SFTP server:
sudo usermod -s /bin/false sftp_user
Step 4: Set Permissions
It is important to set the correct permissions for the directory that the SFTP user will have access to. Change the ownership of the directory to the SFTP user:
sudo chown sftp_user:sftp_user /path/to/directory
Make sure the directory has the correct permissions:
sudo chmod 700 /path/to/directory
Step 5: Test SFTP Connection
Finally, you can test the SFTP connection using an SFTP client such as FileZilla or WinSCP. Enter the server IP address, username, and password to establish a secure connection.
Conclusion
Setting up SFTP on a CentOS server is a simple process that involves installing OpenSSH, configuring the SSH server, creating an SFTP user, setting permissions, and testing the connection. By following the steps outlined in this tutorial, you can securely transfer files to and from your CentOS server using SFTP.
