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Forward FTP communications

Use this procedure to encrypt FTP protocol communications (including the FTP command channel and all data channels) using Secure Shell port forwarding. By using port forwarding, you can make secure connections to FTP servers and have access to the full range of FTP options and commands, including some that are not available with SFTP connections.

note

To enable forwarding of the data channel(s), the FTP Client must be configured to communicate in passive (PASV) mode (the default).

To forward FTP communications

  1. Start the FTP Client.

    This opens the Connect to FTP Site dialog box. (If the FTP Client is already running and this dialog box is not open, go to Connection > Connect.)

  2. Perform one of the following tasks:

    To Do this
    Create a new site From the Connect to FTP Site dialog box, click New.

    In the Add FTP Site dialog box, enter the name or IP address of your FTP server host, and then click Next.

    In the Login Information dialog box, select User.
    Modify an existing site From the Connect to FTP Site dialog box, select a site.

  3. Click Security.

  4. Click the Secure Shell tab.

  5. Select Use Reflection Secure Shell.

  6. Select Tunnel FTP using port forwarding.

  7. This step is required only if your Secure Shell server is on a different host than the FTP server.

    • Select FTP host is different than Secure Shell host.

      !!! note "note" When you select FTP host is different than Secure Shell host, FTP commands and data are transmitted securely from your client computer to the Secure Shell server through a secure tunnel. The commands and data are transmitted in the clear between the Secure Shell server and the FTP server.

    • For SSH server address, type your Secure Shell server host name or IP address.

    • For SSH user name, type your login name on the Secure Shell server.

  8. Perform one of the following tasks:

    If you are Do This
    Creating a new site Click OK to close the Security Properties dialog box and then click Next.

    In the FTP User Login dialog box, type your user name on the FTP server and then click Next.

    Click Finish.
    Modifying an existing site Click OK to close the open dialog boxes.

note

You will need to authenticate to both the Secure Shell server and the FTP server.