[Solved] SFTP in FileZilla with phpBB

[Marek Muc]

I'm trying to install a fresh phpBB board and I have issues with SFTP uploads in FileZilla. When I use the SFTP protocol and point my browser to phpBB/install I get a 404 error. When I use cPanel's built-in file manager or FTP protocol in FileZilla - this problem does not occur. So it seems that there's something wrong with SFTP protocol in FileZilla...

Maybe it has something to do with the "Treat files without extension as ASCII file." as this option is available to be unchecked only for FTP transfers (this setting for SFTP is not available). This window in FileZilla looks a bit different now compared to when this KB article was published:

I guess I'm writing this to ask these questions:
1. Do you use SFTP with FileZilla and whether you had any issues?
2. Do you think I need to change some default option in FileZilla for SFTP to work properly with phpBB files?
3. What SFTP clients do you use for phpBB transfers and would recommend?
4. Or maybe you're just using FTP? I read that it is 'easy' to intercept FTP transfers, which sucks when you transfer database backups...

[HaioPaio]

Marek
I'm using Filezilla via sftp without any problems on my Macbook.
Here are my settings:

I see a difference. I used binary while you selected auto.

[ssl]

Hi
You'll have to use binary mode witch FTP, this avoids file errors in transfers.

[Marek Muc]

Thank you, I'll try with binary setting.

But can you confirm that you're using SFTP (not FTP) protocol?

[HaioPaio]

Yes.

[Mick]

Is SFTP set up properly on your server, have you asked your host?

[3Di]

Do not use File *illa. Win SCP for the winner.

[2600]

You MUST use binary mode with FTP or SFTP least you find your images all messed up and probably other stuff.

3. What SFTP clients do you use for phpBB transfers and would recommend?

I use the free FTP client called WinSCP. It defaults to binary mode from the jump so no need to mess around with it. I also like its features, and can navigate an Amazon AWS S3 bucket resource as well, though in my use it's slow. The other FTP client that can access an S3 resource, WebDAV, FTP, SFTP, etc is CrossFTP, but I think it's payware. Never mind, that's just for the Pro/enterprise version.

Note:

FTP (File Transfer Protocol) uses port 21 by default.

SFTP (Secure File Transfer Protocol) uses port 22 by default.

If you're using SFTP, make sure it's using port 22 as that is the default. 22 is also the SSH (Secure Sockets Host) port. I think the same crypto is being used here.

For future readers:

If you own a bare metal server or VPS, then of course these default ports can be changed, and I highly recommend they are from a security standpoint. Port knocking would be prudent if possible. The installation of Webmin can help change the default ports via point and click. Though, the webmin port its self should be changed too.


http://www.crossftp.com/features.htm

https://winscp.net/eng/download.php

[3Di]

Do not use File *illa. Win SCP for the winner.

[2600]

We posted at the same time. You don't need to somehow highlight your one liner. Gesh.

[3Di]

Do not use File *illa. Win SCP for the winner.

[ssl]

As its name suggests it is a program for Wind ... I can't write the name because I hate this system.
FilleZilla is compatible with all platforms.

[Marek Muc]

Mick is the winner

it seems that my host screwed up the set up of SSH protocol and all files transferred this way received a wrong set of file permissions by default
they now fixed it on their side and everything works fine, thank you!

BTW, if the default transfer type should be set to binary in FileZilla options, then we need to change the screenshot in our KB:
https://www.phpbb.com/support/docs/en/3 ... filezilla/

BTW2
I will give WinSCP a try

thank you all!

(EDIT) PS FIleZilla has its support forums set up on phpBB, whilst WinSCP does not!

[3Di]

FIleZilla has its support forums set up on phpBB, whilst WinSCP does not

Lol, there is nothing there to be set up on phpBB.

Anyway. Luck.

[ssl]

BTW, if the default transfer type should be set to binary in FileZilla options, then we need to change the screenshot in our KB:
https://www.phpbb.com/support/docs/en/3 ... filezilla/

Yes of course