SFTP access to websites hosted on Virtualmin uses the SFTP service on the assigned hosting server. It does not use a dedicated SFTP IP address or the GEN Secure Storage endpoint.

Connection settings

Use the following settings:

Setting	Value
Protocol	SFTP – SSH File Transfer Protocol
Host	The assigned hostname
Port	22
Username	The domain owner or authorised website user
Password	The password for that user
Authentication	Password, unless an SSH key has been configured
Encryption	Provided automatically by SSH/SFTP

Common server hostnames include:

• dakota.gen.net.uk
• atlantis.gen.network
• aurora.gen.network
• donnager.gen.network

Use the hostname of the platform on which the website is hosted. Do not substitute the server's IP address, and do not use the SFTP storage port 32001, which applies to a different service.

SFTP is not the same as FTP or FTPS. Selecting FTP or FTPS in the client will not work with these settings.

Website file location

For the domain owner, the main website document root is normally:

/home/DOMAIN/public_html

Replace DOMAIN with the home-directory name, which may differ slightly from the website's full domain name.

After signing in, many accounts open directly in their home directory. In that case, browse to:

public_html

Files for the public website should normally be uploaded there. Files placed above public_html are generally not available through the website.

Additional users may start in a restricted home directory such as:

/home/DOMAIN/homes/USERNAME

Their accessible directory depends on the permissions configured by the administrator.

Connecting with FileZilla

1. Open File → Site Manager.
2. Select New site.
3. Enter:

• Protocol: SFTP – SSH File Transfer Protocol
• Host: the assigned server hostname
• Port: 22
• Logon Type: Normal
• User: the username
• Password: the password

1. Select Connect.
2. On the first connection, verify the server's SSH host-key fingerprint against the fingerprint supplied by the hosting administrator before accepting it.
3. Open the website's public_html directory and transfer the required files.

Connecting with WinSCP

1. Open WinSCP and create a New Site.
2. Enter:

• File protocol: SFTP
• Host name: the assigned server hostname
• Port number: 22
• User name: the username
• Password: the password

1. Select Login.
2. Verify the SSH host-key fingerprint when prompted.
3. Browse to the website's public_html directory.

Connecting from Linux or macOS

Open Terminal and run:

sftp -P 22 USERNAME@SERVER-HOSTNAME

For example:

sftp -P 22 exampleuser@dakota.gen.net.uk

Enter the user's password when prompted.

Useful SFTP commands include:

pwd
ls
cd public_html
lcd /path/to/local/files
put filename
get filename
put -r directory
exit

Any issues, feel free to raise a case at the HelpDesk