# SFTP

> Connect SFTP to sanda: what to prepare, the fields the connection form asks for, and how its data lands in your warehouse.

## Connect SFTP

:::steps
1. **Open the catalogue.** In the console, go to **Data · Connections** and press **New connection**.
2. **Choose SFTP.** It is listed under files and storage; you can also search for it by name.
3. **Fill in the form.** Enter the fields below. Credentials go straight to sanda’s sync engine and are never stored in sanda’s database.
4. **Choose what to sync.** Pick the tables you want, and a sync mode for each. See [choose what to sync](https://docs.sanda-os.com.au/connections/choose-tables).
5. **Run the first sync.** sanda tests the connection, then lands each table you chose in your warehouse.
:::

## Configuration fields

What the connection form asks for. Required fields are marked; the rest are optional.

| Field | Type | Required | Description |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| **Start Date** | string | No | UTC date and time in the format 2017-01-25T00:00:00.000000Z. Any file modified before this date will not be replicated. |
| **Host Address** | string | Yes | The server host address. |
| **User Name** | string | Yes | The server user. |
| **Authentication** | one of 2 options | Yes | Credentials for connecting to the SFTP Server. |
| **Host Address** | integer | No | The server port. Default `22`. |
| **Folder Path** | string | No | The directory to search files for sync. Default `/`. |
| **Delivery Method** | one of 2 options | No |  |
| **The list of streams to sync** | array | Yes | Each item defines one table in your warehouse: which files belong in it, their format, and how they are parsed and validated. |

### Authentication

Credentials for connecting to the SFTP Server.

Choose one of the following. Each asks for its own fields.

**Authenticate via Password**

| Field | Type | Required | Description |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| **Password** | string, secret | Yes |  |

**Authenticate via Private Key**

| Field | Type | Required | Description |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| **Private key** | string, secret | Yes | The Private key. |


### Delivery Method


Choose one of the following. Each asks for its own fields.

**Replicate Records**

No further fields.

**Copy Raw Files**

| Field | Type | Required | Description |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| **Preserve Sub-Directories in File Paths** | boolean | No | If enabled, sends subdirectory folder structure along with source file names to the destination. Otherwise, files will be synced by their names only. This option is ignored when file-based replication is not enabled. Default `true`. |


## Related

:::links
- [Sync modes](https://docs.sanda-os.com.au/connections/sync-modes): How sanda reads each table on every run.
- [Sync schedules](https://docs.sanda-os.com.au/connections/schedules): How often a connection runs.
- [Allowlist sanda’s address](https://docs.sanda-os.com.au/connections/allowlist): For a system behind a firewall.
- [Troubleshoot connections](https://docs.sanda-os.com.au/connections/troubleshooting): What an error means and how to fix it.
:::