Are you a recent shared-hosting convert and find yourself struggling to figure out how to best manage the files on your first Virtual Private Server ("VPS"); and, worse, find yourself wondering what you got yourself into because you are intimidated by the command line? If so, you will be happy to learn that FileZilla provides a user-friendly graphical interface that can securely transfer files to-and-from – and even move files around within – your VPS.
The two most common methods of securely transmitting information between two computers are the (i) Secure Shell (SSH) and (ii) Transport Layer Security (TLS), and its predecessor, Secure Sockets Layer (SSL), cryptographic protocols. Both are public-key cryptography tunneling protocols that aim to create a secure, confidential exchange of data and connection across a network; particularly, the Internet. The encryption technologies used by both protocols are very reliable, and are (when configured correctly) nearly impossible for hackers to break into. While both protocols provide similar services, however, they are not the same and, in fact, have several significant differences that are beyond the scope of this article.
Today, OpenSSH is a default software package found on Unix-like operating systems such as Mac OS X and Linux. Thus, programs or subsystems that are based on the SSH protocol will work 'out-of-the-box' – without having to go through the additional steps of either purchasing or creating the requisite SSL certificate needed for certain modes of secure data transmissions via TLS/SSL.
When needing to up- or download files from your VPS in real time, you essentially have the following options:
- File Transfer Protocol (FTP);
- Secure Copy Program (SCP);
- SSH File Transfer Protocol (SFTP); or
- FTP over TLS/SSL (FTPS).
Among the various file-transfer options, one should never, ever, ever connect to a remote server via FTP; given that both SCP and SFTP are just as easy to use, but provide much more security. In addition, while FTP requires the installation of FTP server software, such as vsFTP or ProFTP, both SCP and SFTP utilize the SSH protocol and, as a result, will work 'out-of-the-box' when connecting to a remote Unix-like machine, such as Mac OS X or Linux.
Given that both SCP and SFTP utilize the SSH protocol in connecting to another computer, the two methods are fairly equal in regard to security – with SFTP having a slight edge, in regard to efficiency, because an interrupted file-transfer can resume where it left off in the event of a broken connection that is later re-established.
SFTP should not be confused with FTPS, because the two methods are incompatible with each other. While FTPS can provide equal security, it does require additional steps to deploy if one does not already have an SSL certificate.
There are several quality SFTP clients out there: Cyberduck, Filezilla or WinSCP, to name a few. This article, however, will focus on Filezilla – an open-source (i.e., free) FTP client for Windows, Mac OS X and Linux. In addition to being able to download the program, the filezilla-project.org site also contains a documentation Wiki and a Support Forum.
With SFTP, you have two user-authentication options when connecting to a remote server: (i) passwords or (ii) SSH keys. For a discussion on the benefits of SSH keys over passwords and/or instructions on setting up password-less logins on your server, please refer to How To Create SSH Keys with PuTTY to Connect to a VPS.
FileZilla has a built-in key-management page in the Settings dialog, which allows you to save your Public (SSH) Key – to (securely) automate the process of connecting to a remote server.
If you have yet to create an SSH key pair, you can do so by following one of two DigitalOcean tutorials:
- Windows users: How To Create SSH Keys with PuTTY to Connect to a VPS; or
- Mac OSX & Linux users: How To Set Up SSH Keys.
Once you have an SSH key pair that you would like to use to connect to your VPS,
- open the FileZilla client.
- Then, from the top of the home screen, click on
Editand selectSettings. - On the left side of the menu, expand the
Connectionsection and highlightSFTP.
- Finally, click on the
[Add keyfile...]button and browse your local machine's directories and select your Public Key file. - Then, again from the top of FileZilla's home screen, click on
Fileand selectSite Manager. - Next, on the left side of the Site Manager, click on the
New Sitebutton and type a unique name, underMy Sitesthat will allow you to easily identify this particular remote server in the future.
- Now, under the
Generaltab, fill in theHost(with either an IP address or FQDN) andPortfields (default is 22). - In the
Protocoldropdown menu, selectSFTP - SSH File Transfer Protocol. - In the
Logon Typedropdown menu, selectInteractive.
Note for PuTTY users with passphrase-protected public keys: If your original .ppk file is password-protected, FileZilla will convert your .ppk file to an unprotected one, when importing the key into FileZilla. As of version 3.0.10, a password-protected key file is not yet supported.
If a password-protected key file is desired, FileZilla is able to utilize PuTTY's Pageant tool.
- Simply run Pageant and, in your system tray, you will see the Pageant icon appear.
- Right-click on the icon and select
Add Keyand select your private key (.ppk) file. - Then, follow the prompt to enter your passphrase.
- Finally, launch FileZilla and connect to your server via SFTP using SSH2 with a username and an empty password (do not forget to close pageant when you are done).
In managing your VPS, you will inevitably encounter a situation where some programming (text) files require edits. FileZilla does not carry a built-in text editor; which gives you the freedom of using any text editor of your choice. A popular editor among Windows users is Notepad++ because it is lightweight and can work with many of today's popular programming languages.
By default, FileZilla is configured to utilize your local system's default editor. If you do not wish to make Notepad++ your system's default text editor, but would nevertheless like to use it to edit HTML, XML, Python, CSS, PHP & other programming files on your remote server:
- From the FileZilla home screen, click on
Editand selectSettings. - Along the left side of the Settings window, highlight
File editing. - Then, select the radio button associated with
Use custom editorand click on theBrowsebutton. - Find your desired editor's executable (
.exeon Windows machines), double-click on it, and click theOKbutton to save your changes & close the Settings window.
As always, if you need help with the steps outlined in this HowTo, look to the DigitalOcean Community for assistance by posing your question(s), below.