Dictionary · Protocols and Ports
SFTP
SFTP — SSH File Transfer Protocol
File transfer · Intermediate
A file-transfer protocol that runs inside an encrypted secure shell. It is not classic file transfer with encryption added, and it uses the shell's port.
If you already administer a server through an encrypted shell, this is the file-transfer protocol that belongs with it. It does not use the cleartext file-transfer control port.
Example: An administrator copies a configuration file to a server over the same encrypted service used for remote login.
Ports
- TCP 22 — Runs inside the secure shell
Common misconception
- It is not FTP plus SSL. The name is confusing: this protocol is a different file-transfer design inside a secure shell.