Overview

Secure File Transfer Protocol is a widely used network protocol which provides file access and transfer between local and remote computers. Accessing data via this method provides a much more functional interface, allows the downloading of multiple files at once, or entire folders of data.

IT Services run the University SFTP service which enables remote access to many university filestores, including Chemistry Teaching Labs. The service is accessed using your university username and password and two-factor authentication (Duo) both on and off campus.

Accessing the service

To access the SFTP service, you will need an SFTP client on your computer. There are many clients available, for a range of operating systems. The IT Services provided guides contain step by step instructions to connect to the service for a range of operating systems.

Server details

SFTP server:

sftp://sftp.york.ac.uk (port 22)

ChemTL data directories:

/shared/storage/chemtl

Step by step guide for access from ITS Classroom PCs

This guide is for accessing the SFTP server from a PC in an IT Services Classroom. For guides from non-classroom Windows PCs, please see the the IT Services provided guides.

Software

• Open WinSCP from the Start Menu.

Connection details

• In the 'Login' window, which should open automatically*, click 'New Site'.

• Choose 'SFTP' under 'File protocol'.

• Under 'Host name' enter the server address sftp.york.ac.uk

• The 'Port number' should be set to 22.

• Enter your University username in the form abc123

• Click 'Login'

*If the 'Login' window doesn't appear, click Tabs | New Tab.

Connecting

SSH Keys

A box will appear which displays the 'keys' for the SFTP server you are connecting to. These keys enable the you to verify the identity of the server you are connecting to. These keys can be compared to the values published by IT Services in order to confirm you are connecting to a valid server. The relevant keys are listed underneath 'scp.york.ac.uk / sftp.york.ac.uk'.

This message will only appear the first time you try to connect, or if they keys change. If you want to recheck the keys after connecting, these are located in the 'Tab | Server/protocol information' menu.

Banner

Password

A box will pop up asking you to enter your password. Enter your university password and click 'OK'.

Two factor authentication

A set of options will appear asking how you want to provide two-factor authentication via Duo. Enter the option number or a passcode into the box and click 'OK'. Usually option 1 is a Duo push to your default device.

If you successfully authenticated, a success message will appear. Press 'OK' to continue.

Local and remote connection

Once you are connected, WinSCP will show two panels alongside each other which contain file listings. The panel on the left shows the local computer you are using, and the right hand panel shows the remote server you are connected to. When you connect to the server, you will be placed into the default 'home' directory. This is the same directory which appears as your M:\ drive in PC classrooms.

Changing directory to access Chemistry Teaching Labs data

There are several different methods to change the 'working directory' on the remote server, so that you can locate files from Teaching Labs. The two options are highlighted in the image below.

1. Browsing

Clicking the dialogue menu located at the top of the right hand pane which contains your username (circled in red above) will result in a dropdown menu being displayed. If you select the top option '/ <root>' you will be taken to the root directory of the server.

From here, you can navigate to the directory which contains the Teaching Labs data:

shared --> storage --> chemtl

2. Open directory

Clicking the 'Open directory' button (circled in blue) will open a dialogue box which asks for the directory to open. Paste in /shared/storage/chemtl and click 'OK'.

Locate the desired remote data

Both of the approaches above to change to the Teaching Labs Data directories should result in the right hand window changing to show the instrument data folders. You can then browse to locate the data you wish to download.

Download files or folders

There are a couple of different methods to download files from the server to your local computer. These methods are described below.

1. Drag and drop

Before dragging and dropping, you should change the local directory (left hand pane) to choose a location to store the downloaded data.

You can easily download files using the mouse by click and holding on files or folders in the right hand pane, and dragging the mouse to the left hand pane and releasing. You will then see a dialogue box appear which shows that files are being downloaded.

2. Download dialogue

There is also a download dialogue option which can be used. This can be accessed via:

• Right clicking on a folder and choosing 'Download'

• Clicking on a folder and pressing 'F5'

• Clicking on a folder and choosing Files | Download | Download

When you click download, a box will appear asking where to download the files to. You will need to choose somewhere appropriate to save the files. Click browse to locate a suitable place to save your files. On managed PCs it is recommended you save files somewhere on your M:\ drive.