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Table of Contents
FTPS Data Transfer
Using FTPS for Data Exchange
SFTP is not the same as FTPS. SFTP is a function of SSH, which isn't allowed through the firewall. Stormlight uses FTPS, which is run on port 21, and vsftpd is the server daemon. The standard Linux ftp command can't connect securely because it doesn't support TLS.
To exchange data with an external user, the SFTP server on Stormlight can be used. To exchange data with an external university user, a new account typically needs to be created on Stormlight using the external user's username. Local University users will also need to know their username and password to upload and download data.
Linux FTPS Client
If you're looking for a graphical client, FileZilla works fine; it has been used to test the end-to-end connection. If it has to be a command-line tool, lftp works well. It just needs to be installed and then connects like so:
lftp -u youngsuk ftps://stormlight.atmos.und.edu
Windows FTPS Client
WinSCP fully supports FTPS (FTP over TLS/SSL), including both explicit and implicit security modes.
- To configure FTPS in WinSCP, use the WinSCP login dialog.
- Set the File protocol dropdown to FTP.
- Choose your Encryption type: TLS/SSL Explicit encryption
- Enter your server Hostname (stormlight.atmos.und.edu), Username, and Password.
- Click Login to connect.
Uploading Surface Data To Littlestorm
Uploading data to Littlestorm without VPN access requires using FTPS over port 21 via the mirror server Stormlight, or the Linux application “lftp” with the account name “atscsensors”. Note that “lftp” will transfer any data files which are new or have been changed relative to the destination directory. Once “lftp” is installed, data transfer can be performed using a simple bash script that can be further automated to run as often as desired via the Linux crontab. The location of the data storage directory on Stormlight is “/Surface”, followed by the location the data was acquired. Note: nothing can come before “/Surface”; otherwise, the directory will not be recognized. Also note that it is better to make any needed directories directly on Littlestorm via SSH rather than through Stormlight.
An example script that is used for the daily transfer of data from the MiniOFS visibility sensor Pi located on the Clifford Hall roof can be found using the link below: