Local SFTP Server
A Local SFTP Server is a type of Endpoint that represents an SFTP server that the system hosts locally to enable secure file transfers.
This Endpoint type provides the essential infrastructure for accepting incoming SFTP connections and initiating file transfers through secure, configurable Pipelines.
It functions as a virtual server that requires proper management for file transfer operations. Local SFTP Server Endpoints function exclusively as a Source Endpoint within a Pipeline of type UDMG as SFTP Server.
Before You Begin
Listener IP Address and Port
The Listener IP Address and Port together define the local listening address for this Local SFTP Server Endpoint:
- Listener IP Address is the local IPv4 address that the UDMG Server binds to for this listener. If you set Listener IP Address to
0.0.0.0, UDMG binds to all IPv4 interfaces on the host. If you set a specific IP (for example,192.168.1.10), UDMG accepts connections only on that IP. - Port is the TCP port on that same host where the listener accepts connections.
When creating a new Endpoint, avoid selecting a Listener IP Address/Port pair that is already assigned to another Endpoint (in any Domains) or used by another service.
Although UDMG allows multiple Endpoints to use the same Listener IP Address/Port combination, only one of those Endpoints—and therefore its associated Pipelines—can be active at a time.
The following considerations apply:
- No Cross-Domain Validation: The system does not automatically prevent duplicate Listener IP Address/Port combinations within or across Domains.
- Manual Validation Required: After configuring an Endpoint, always use the Validate button to see if the Listener IP Address/Port combination is already in use by another service (across all Domains). This action does not check if the IP/port can be specifically used by the Endpoint. See Validating the Configuration for more information.
Authentication Method
The Authentication Method specifies how the Local SFTP Server authenticates incoming connections. The available options are:
- Password: Only password-based authentication is accepted.
- Public Key: Only SSH key-based authentication is accepted.
- Password or Public Key: Either password-based or SSH key-based authentication is accepted. This method gives your partners the most flexibility.
- Password and Public Key: Password-based and SSH key-based authentication is required. Use this method only when maximum security is needed and your partners support dual-authentication.
Host Key
Each Local SFTP Server Endpoint requires a Private Key, the SSH Host Key of the server, to be associated with it. Only one key is allowed. The key establishes the server's identity. The Credential (Credential Type: Private Key) must first be created on the Credentials page before it is selected in the configuration. See the SFTP page for information regarding supported and default key types, ciphers, and algorithms.
Adding an Endpoint
To add an Endpoint, follow these steps:
- From the Sidebar, select Configuration > Endpoints.
- Click Add Endpoint.
- Select Local SFTP Server in the Endpoint Type dropdown.
- Complete the Name and Description details for the new Endpoint.
- Enter the Listener IP Address and Port.
- Select the Authentication Method your partners will use to authenticate to the Local SFTP Server.
- Select the Private Key you created earlier from the Credentials Name (Host Key) dropdown.
- Optionally select ciphers and other algorithms, or use the default, using the table below as a guide.
- Choose whether the Endpoint should be enabled to auto-start or require manual restarting.
- Click Add to create the Endpoint.
- Click Validate to confirm that the IP address and port combination is not already in use by another service (across all Domains). See Validating the Configuration.
- Click Start to launch the server. See Starting, Stopping, and Restarting Endpoints.
UDMG allows creating identical Endpoints with unique names, but this practice is strongly discouraged due to potential downstream complications.
Field Descriptions
The following table describes the fields that are configured for the Endpoint:
| Name | Description | Specifications | Required |
|---|---|---|---|
| Endpoint Type | Select Local SFTP Server to expose an SFTP listener that receives partners connections. | The type cannot be changed after creation. | Yes |
| Name | The name of the Local SFTP Server Endpoint. |
| Yes |
| Description | The description of the Local SFTP Server Endpoint. | No | |
| Listener IP Address | The local IPv4 address that the UDMG Server binds to for this SFTP listener. | Must be in IPv4 format. | Yes |
| Port | The port number of the Local SFTP Server.
|
| Yes |
| Authentication Method | The Authentication Method that Accounts use to authenticate and log in to the Local SFTP Server. Options:
| Default is Password. | Yes |
| Credentials Name (Host Key) | The name of the Private Key that is used as the server's SSH host private key. | Must reference an already created Private Key. | Yes |
| Key Exchange Algorithms | The allowed key exchange algorithms. Options (multi-select):
| Defaults are:
| No |
| Ciphers | The allowed ciphers. Options (multi-select):
| Defaults are:
| No |
| MACs | The allowed Message Authentication Codes (MACs). Options (multi-select):
| Defaults are:
| No |
| Max Number of Concurrent Connections | The maximum number of concurrent connections the server allows. If a maximum value is set, the server rejects new transfers once the limit is reached. | Default = 0, which means unlimited. | No |
| Auto-Start Endpoint | Endpoint's auto-start status. See Auto-Starting Endpoints. | Default is Enabled. | Yes |
Editing an Endpoint
To edit an Endpoint, follow these steps:
- From the Sidebar, select Configuration > Endpoint.
- Click the Name field of the Endpoint you want to edit.
- Click Stop above the Endpoint details. As noted above, configuration changes only take effect following an Endpoint restart or stop/start cycle.
- Click Edit above the Endpoint details.
- Click the Name field of the Endpoint you want to edit.
- Click Stop above the Endpoint details. As noted above, configuration changes only take effect following an Endpoint restart or stop/start cycle.
- Click Edit above the Endpoint details.
- Edit details for the Endpoint, using the Field Descriptions table as a guide.
- Click Update.
- Click Restart or Stop/Start.
Configuration changes remain inactive until the Local SFTP Server Endpoint is restarted and the Account disconnects/reconnects to its client.
After changes are made, restart the Endpoint to apply the changes. All active connections are terminated.
Managing an Endpoint
The Local SFTP Server Endpoint has multiple management capabilities that allow you to manage and validate the Endpoint.
Viewing Endpoint Details
To view the details of an Endpoint, follow these steps:
- From the Sidebar, select Configuration > Endpoint.
- Click the Name of the Endpoint you want to view.
- Additionally, click the Pipelines tab to see all the Pipelines the Endpoint is associated with.
Endpoint Metadata
Endpoint details include all parameters given in the Field Descriptions table, plus the following read-only metadata:
| Name | Description |
|---|---|
| UUID | Universally Unique Identifier of this Endpoint. |
| UUID | Universally Unique Identifier of this Endpoint. |
| Version | Version number of the configuration. Every change increases the number. |
| Created | Date and time this Endpoint was created. |
| Version | Version number of the configuration. Every change increases the number. |
| Created | Date and time this Endpoint was created. |
| Updated | Date and time this Endpoint was last updated. |
| Updated | Date and time this Endpoint was last updated. |
| Test Status | Status of the Validate Endpoint configuration test. Options:
|
| Runtime Status | The status of the server Endpoint. Options:
|
| Active Sessions | The number of active sessions or connections opened with the Endpoint (i.e., Accounts connected to the Endpoint). |
| Active Sessions | The number of active sessions or connections opened with the Endpoint (i.e., Accounts connected to the Endpoint). |
Validating the Configuration
The configuration can be validated to confirm if the Local SFTP Server Endpoint's Listener IP Address/Port combination is used by another service (across all Domains).
It is important to note that, even if a port is not being used elsewhere in UDMG, it is not necessarily available.
Port 22 is the standard and most common port for SFTP file transfers. Avoid using:
- Ports already taken by other Endpoints.
- Ports
1344,111, and81. - UDMG Server ports (most likely
7070/7071,8080/8081,4222/6222) . - Ports blocked by your IT controls.
To validate the configuration, stop the Endpoint first (click the Stop button) and then click the Validate button. One of the following messages appears:
- Error/Fail: 'Endpoint test has failed. The port #### on address #.#.#.# is already in use.'
-
If validation fails, then the Listener IP Address/Port is not available and should not be used. You must review and modify the Listener IP Address/Port combination.
infoIf the Endpoint's Runtime Status is Running, then the validation test will fail because the Listener IP Address/Port is being used by that Endpoint.
-
- Pass: 'Endpoint has passed the test.'
-
If validation passes, the Listener IP Address/Port is not currently being used by another service.
infoThe test does not confirm if the Listener IP Address/Port can be used by the Endpoint. The Listener IP Address/Port must be available based on your network IT controls, such as firewalls.
-
Starting, Stopping, and Restarting Endpoints
Local SFTP Server Endpoints function as virtual servers that require proper management for file transfer operations. After initial creation, these Endpoints must be activated before they can process transfers. Endpoints can be initiated through one method:
- Manual Start: Click the Start button on the Details page.
Additionally, configuration changes only take effect following an Endpoint restart or stop/start cycle. Once the Endpoint is running, three control actions are available from the Details page:
- Start: Launches the Endpoint connection when currently stopped.
- Stop: Initiates the shutdown of the Endpoint. New connections are not allowed, while the pending sessions remain until they are disconnected. Utilize the Active Sessions field on the Details page.
- Restart: Executes a complete stop/start sequence to apply configuration changes.
After the initial server creation and initiation, the Endpoint has a Runtime Status indicator that shows the real-time operational state of the server. The current status determines which management actions can be performed. The current state (Runtime Status) of each Local SFTP Server Endpoint is displayed in the Endpoint Record Table and Details page with the following statuses:
- Starting: Server is starting, but not operational yet.
- Running: Server is operational and processing connections.
- Stopped: Server is not running. Especially after a Stop request, it is possible that sessions remain until they disconnect. Utilize the Active Sessions field on the Details page.
- Error: listen tcp 0.0.0.0:2041: bind: address already in use: Server's IP/Port is in use on another Endpoint (across all Domains).
Auto-Starting Endpoints
Local SFTP Server Endpoints can be configured for auto-start functionality, allowing them to launch automatically if the UDMG server is stopped after initial creation or upon startup of the UDMG server. This setting is established during Endpoint creation and can be modified later.
- Enabled: The Endpoint automatically starts without manual intervention after the UDMG server is stopped (Auto-start active).
- Disabled: The Endpoint remains inactive until manually started after the UDMG server is stopped (Auto-start inactive).
To set an to auto-start, follow these steps:
- From the Sidebar, select Configuration > Endpoints.
- Click the Name of the Endpoint you want to update.
- Click Edit.
- If the Endpoint is currently auto-started, you can remove the auto-start feature by moving the toggle to the left.
- Click Update.
The Auto-Start Endpoint status is reflected as the Enabled field on the Details page.
Deleting an Endpoint
To delete an Endpoint, follow these steps:
- From the Sidebar, select Configuration > Endpoints.
- Click the Name of the Endpoint you want to delete.
- Click Delete above the Endpoint details.
- You will be asked to confirm the deletion. Click Delete.
UDMG prevents the deletion of a Configuration Item if it is currently referenced by another Configuration Item (i.e., Pipeline). The Configuration Item must be edited or the reference removed before you can delete the Endpoint. Deletion cannot be undone.