SFTP Connection Setup
This guide provides instructions for establishing a secure SFTP connection with Paytient for automated data file transfers between your system and the Paytient platform.
Overview
Paytient supports SFTP (Secure File Transfer Protocol) for exchanging data files with external systems and partners.
Prerequisites
Before setting up the SFTP connection, ensure you have:
- check_circle Received SFTP credentials from Paytient
- check_circle Network access to port 22 (SSH/SFTP)
Connection Details
Your SFTP connection will use the following parameters:
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Hostname | sftp.paytient.com |
| Port | 22 |
| Protocol | SFTP (SSH File Transfer Protocol) |
| Authentication | SSH Key Authentication |
| Username | Provided by Paytient (typically your organization identifier) |
Your specific username will be provided by your Paytient implementation contact. You will need to generate your own SSH key pair and provide the public key to Paytient for registration.
SSH Key Authentication
Paytient uses SSH key-based authentication for enhanced security. This method is more secure than password authentication and is required for all SFTP connections.
To set up SSH key authentication:
- Generate your own SSH key pair on your system
- Keep your private key secure - never share it with anyone, including Paytient
- Send only your public key to Paytient - Paytient will register it with the SFTP server
- Paytient will provide you with:
- Username: Your unique identifier for the SFTP connection
- Directory path: Your upload/download folder on the SFTP server
File Transfer Locations
Files should be uploaded to your designated directory on the SFTP server. Your specific directory path will be provided during implementation.
Example Directory Structure:
sftp.paytient.com/
└── [your_organization_identifier]/
Your specific directory path will be provided by your Paytient implementation contact.
Troubleshooting
Connection Refused
Problem: Unable to connect to sftp.paytient.com
Solutions:
- Verify port 22 is not blocked by your firewall
- Confirm you're using the correct hostname
- Check your network connectivity
- Ensure SFTP protocol (not FTP) is selected
Permission Denied (publickey)
Problem: Authentication fails with "Permission denied (publickey)"
Solutions:
- Verify you're using the correct SSH private key (the one you generated)
- Confirm your public key was properly shared with and registered by Paytient
- Check file permissions on your private key (should be 600 on Unix systems)
- Confirm your username is correct
- Ensure the key file is not corrupted
Host Key Verification Failed
Problem: "Host key verification failed" error
Solutions:
- Add the host to your known hosts:
ssh-keyscan -H sftp.paytient.com >> ~/.ssh/known_hosts
- Or accept the host key when prompted on first connection
File Upload/Download Errors
Problem: Cannot upload or download files
Solutions:
- Verify you're in the correct directory
- Check file permissions in your local system
- Ensure you have sufficient disk space
Security Best Practices
- shield Never share your private SSH key with anyone, including Paytient staff
- shield Store keys securely with appropriate file system permissions
- shield Use encrypted storage for any automated systems storing SSH keys
- shield Rotate keys periodically according to your security policies
- shield Monitor access logs for unauthorized connection attempts
- shield Restrict key access to only systems that need it
Getting Help
If you encounter issues or need assistance:
- Check this documentation for common solutions
- Review error messages carefully - they often contain specific guidance
- Contact your Paytient implementation contact with:
- Your username
- Timestamp of the issue
- Full error messages
- Steps you've already tried
For detailed information about file formats, field specifications, and data requirements, please refer to your Data Transfer Specification (DTS) document provided by your Paytient implementation team.