Secure File Transfer Protocol (SFTP) on Raspberry Pi: A Comprehensive Guide

Introduction: In this article, we will explore the Secure File Transfer Protocol (SFTP) and its significance in the context of Raspberry Pi. SFTP is a secure alternative to FTP, providing a secure channel for transferring files between systems. We will discuss the steps to set up and configure SFTP on Raspberry Pi, along with practical examples and commands specifically adapted for the Raspberry Pi environment.

Examples: Example 1: Installing OpenSSH Server on Raspberry Pi To enable SFTP on Raspberry Pi, we need to install the OpenSSH server. Open a terminal and enter the following command:

sudo apt-get install openssh-server

Example 2: Configuring SFTP Access for a User To allow SFTP access to a specific user, we need to modify the SSH server configuration file. Open the file using the nano text editor:

sudo nano /etc/ssh/sshd_config

Locate the line that begins with "Subsystem sftp" and uncomment it by removing the '#' symbol. Save the file and exit.

Next, add the following lines at the end of the file to specify the user and their access permissions:

Match User <username>
    ForceCommand internal-sftp
    PasswordAuthentication yes
    ChrootDirectory /home/<username>
    PermitTunnel no
    AllowAgentForwarding no
    AllowTcpForwarding no
    X11Forwarding no

Replace <username> with the actual username you want to grant SFTP access to. Save the file and exit.

Example 3: Restarting the SSH Server After making changes to the SSH server configuration, it is necessary to restart the SSH service for the changes to take effect. Run the following command:

sudo systemctl restart ssh

Conclusion: Setting up SFTP on Raspberry Pi provides a secure method for transferring files between systems. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can easily configure SFTP access for specific users on your Raspberry Pi. This ensures the confidentiality and integrity of your data during file transfers.