FTP & SFTP

Last change on 2026-04-11 • Created on 2020-01-20 • ID: MA-5CE62

FTP stands for File Transfer Protocol. With FTP, you can upload files to a server and download files from a server.

When you design a website, you usually do this on your home computer. Via FTP, the website's files are transferred to your account and are thus accessible to the public. You can view and change the required FTP access data in konsoleH.

⚠️ To view the following options, you need to click on the hosting name.

Main FTP User

In the Main FTP User section, you will find all the necessary access data for the FTP connection to your account:

  • Server: The hostname of your server (e.g. wwwXXX.your-server.de)
  • Login name: Your FTP username
  • Password: Your FTP password
  • Port: 21 (FTPS) or 22 (SFTP)
  • Password login: Status of the password login (Active/Inactive)

You can adjust the data using the Edit button.

Changing the Password

To change the password, click on Edit and enter your new password in the corresponding text input field. Then click on Save.

A password must meet certain conditions to ensure its security. You can see the exact guidelines directly when assigning the password.

Note: After changing the password, you may need to update the new password in your FTP client (e.g. FileZilla).

Encrypted FTP Access

To ensure the highest level of security when transferring data, an SSL-encrypted access is also available. All you need to do is use a suitable FTP program (e.g. FileZilla, WinSCP) and activate the corresponding option. Two different protocols are available:

FTPS (FTP/SSL)

This is FTP encrypted via SSL. Please note the following:

  • Some programs distinguish between explicit and implicit SSL encryption. In this case, choose explicit (FTPES).
  • Port used: 21

SFTP

Please note the following:

  • The port used is 22.

Additional FTP Users

In the Additional FTP Users section, you can create additional FTP users and define which directories they may access.

Click on Add user to create a new user.

Please note:

  • Additional FTP users can only access the public_html directory or its subdirectories.
  • Access to the home directory is not possible through this.
  • The names of the additional FTP users are predefined.

Public SFTP Keys

For a higher level of security, you can use SFTP with key authentication instead of password login. In the Public SFTP Keys section, you can upload public keys via Add or edit the entire key file via Edit key file (e.g. to manage multiple keys).

Note: SFTP with key authentication is only possible with the main FTP user. The key must be in the SSH Public Key format (RFC4716). The OpenSSH format commonly used for SSH connections is not possible here. Corresponding keys can be converted.

To enable SFTP with public key authentication, proceed as follows:

1. Generate a Key Pair

Windows

  • Download the program puttygen from the PuTTY website.
  • Generate a key pair with puttygen via Key → Generate Key pairs.
  • Save the private key in a secure location. We recommend additionally setting a password for this key.

Linux

  • Generate an OpenSSH key using ssh-keygen (if not already done). You can find detailed instructions in the first step of the tutorial "Setting up an SSH Key".
  • Convert the format of the public key:
  ssh-keygen -e -f ~/.ssh/id_rsa.pub

2. Upload the Public Key

Once you have generated your key pair, upload the public key in konsoleH under Public SFTP Keys using the Add button. The key will be automatically converted to the correct format.

Note: We accept no liability for keys that do not work.

3. Configure your FTP Program

Specify the path to the private key in your FTP program. For some FTP programs (e.g. FileZilla), you must use plink as an additional program: plink.

konsoleH Domain Login

In the konsoleH Domain Login section, you can activate a separate login for the respective domain. This login allows the management of a single domain without access to other domains in your account — ideal if, for example, you want to grant restricted access to a service provider or employee.

Click on Activate to set up this feature.

Web Statistics

In the Web Statistics section, you will find the access data for the statistical evaluations of your website:

  • AwStats: Link to your AwStats evaluations
  • Reportmagic: Link to your Reportmagic evaluations
  • Login name: Username for accessing the statistics
  • Password: Password for accessing the statistics

You can adjust the access data using the Edit button.

FTP Programs

There are countless FTP applications available for download on the internet. Recommended programs include, for example:

FileZilla

  1. Start FileZilla.
  2. Select File → Site Manager from the menu.
  3. Click on the New Site button at the bottom of the page to create a new connection.
  4. The icon with the words New FTP Site will be highlighted. Now enter the name of your site.
  5. Provide the following information:
    • Host: Server name (e.g. wwwXXX.your-server.de)
    • Server Type: FTP (explicit encryption) or SFTP
    • Logon Type: Normal
    • User: FTP username
    • Password: FTP password
  6. Click on Connect.
  7. Once connected, double-click on the public_html directory and transfer the corresponding files.

Note: The start page must be named index.html.

WinSCP

  1. Start WinSCP.
  2. Provide the following information:
    • Host name: Server name (e.g. wwwXXX.your-server.de)
    • User name: FTP username
    • Password: FTP password
  3. Click on Login.
  4. Once connected, double-click on the public_html directory and transfer the corresponding files.

Note: The start page must be named index.html.

Cyberduck

  1. Start Cyberduck.
  2. Provide the following information:
    • Server: Server name (e.g. wwwXXX.your-server.de)
    • Username: FTP username
    • Password: FTP password
  3. Click on Connect.
  4. Once connected, double-click on the public_html directory and transfer the corresponding files.

Note: The start page must be named index.html.

Important Notes

  • All files you want to make accessible to the public must be saved in the public_html directory.
  • The binary transfer mode must be selected for image files (e.g. .gif, .jpeg).
  • The ASCII mode should be activated for files that are intended to be readable as plain text (e.g. .html, .php). If you use the wrong mode for transferring, this can lead to corrupted images and CGI scripts.
  • File names: Our Linux servers are case sensitive, meaning that uppercase and lowercase letters are distinguished. In other words, the file name faq.html is not the same as FAQ.html. Incorrect link references would result in a "File Not Found" error. This also applies to directory names. To avoid these errors, we recommend writing all files in lowercase.
  • Not all special characters in file names are permitted. You should therefore avoid them as much as possible.
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