What is sFTP (or FTP)? Why use sFTP? How to use sFTP? Connecting to IDT via sFTP using WinSCPUpdated What is in your sFTP private directory? How to upgrade to the latest release of WinSCP?NEW

What is sFTP (or FTP)?

FTP (File Transfer Protocol) and SFTP (Secure FTP) are both protocols for working with remote files. These protocols allow a user on one computer to transfer files to and from another PC anywhere in the world over a network. If you have downloaded files from the internet, you probably have been using the FTP protocol.

[ Back to the top ]

Why use sFTP?

FTP is insecure because it transmits all data (including passwords and usernames) in plain text. Anyone with a packet sniffer can get your password and download your patients' images!

SFTP is secure because it uses SSH for encryption. SFTP encrypts both commands and data, preventing passwords and sensitive information from being transmitted in the clear over the network. It is functionally similar to FTP but it uses a different protocol. Therefore, you cannot use a standard FTP client to talk to an SFTP server, nor can you connect to an FTP server with a client that supports only SFTP.

[ Back to the top ]

How to use sFTP?

There are two ways you can use sFTP:

• Graphical sFTP clients (recommended)
• Command line sFTP

We recommend that you use WinSCP for Windows platforms and Fugu for Mac OS X.

[ Back to the top ]

Connecting to IDT via sFTP using WinSCP

1. Installing WinSCP:
   Right click here and select 'Save Target As' to download the WinSCP 3.8.2 Setup File into a conveinent folder on your computer (e.g. Your Desktop or C:\My Documents).



2. - Double click on the Setup File you have downloaded to start the installation.
   - Follow the instructions and press "NEXT until you see the prompt shown below.
   - Make sure the option "Add installtion directory to search path (%PATH%)" is selected.
   - Press "NEXT" until the installation has completed.

   

   - By default, the WinSCP shortcut should appear on your desktop after installation.
   - (Optional: Restart the computer after installation.)

   

3. (If you have used WinSCP before and have already setup a session to connect to IDT, you may skip to Step 8.)
   
   - WinSCP will launch automatically after installation (if this option has been selected during installation).
   - Also, you can double-click on the WinSCP shortcut to launch the program at any time.



4. Type in the Host name and Username given to you from IDT.
   (you do not need to enter anything in other fields)
   For security reasons, we suggest that you do not save your password into the software!
5. Select "sFTP" from the protocol menu
6. Select SSH from the tree and select "2 only" from the protocol options:



7. Click "Save" to save your session.
   - You will be prompted to save the session.
   - Delete the given name and enter "IDT" and click "OK".



8. You are now ready to connect to IDT!
   - The stored sessions window will come up everytime you start WinSCP, simply select the session name and click Login:



9. While connecting to the server, you will be prompted for your password. Please enter the password given to you from IDT. If you need a new password please contact IDT.
   (Please note that you may receive a warning about the "host key", selecting YES will store the server as a safe host)

   

   
   You are now ready to use WinSCP!
   
   

• When you are connected you will be taken to a window showing two panels (see above).
• The Left panel shows your local documents. Please select the folder where you normally keep your patient images (usually in "DentalData" on the C:\ drive)
• The Right panel shows your home at IDT's server. You will see the datasets that have been prepared for you by IDT. No one else can see these files!
• You can navigate within either of these panels the same way that you would in Window's Explorer window.
• To move files to or from IDT's server, simply drag and drop them into place and click COPY.
  (Note: You may lose your work if your connection is lost. So never MOVE files! You should always COPY them over)
• When you are finished, simply quit the program by clicking the 'X' at the top right corner. You will be disconnected from the Server.
• Please note that WinSCP is very powerful and there are many menus and command options. In most cases you will not need to use any of these!

[ Back to the top ]

What is in your sFTP private directory?

For your convenience, 5 folders have been created in your home directory on our server.

Folder Name	Information
Old_Cases	This folder contains a sub-directory named year ‘2006’ (or earlier) containing past cases during that particular year
From_IDT	This is the folder where we put the most recent processed case for you to download. After a period of time we will move all files in this folder into the ‘Old_Cases’ folder and place the new files here.
To_IDT	(for customers who send us images for processing) This is the folder for you to upload images for processing. Please email the Reformatting-Only-Booking-Form to bookings@ctscan.co.uk after uploading the images. Note that files will be removed from the server for processing. Download Booking Forms by right clicking and select 'Save Target As': (in EURO) (in GBP)
Guide_Orders	(for customers who order Surgical Guides) This is an optional folder for you to upload any Surgical Guide planning files if required. Note that files will be moved to the Guide_Backup folder for processing.
Guide_Backup	(see above)

[ Back to the top ]

How to upgrade to the latest release of WinSCP?

(Instructions below are for Windows XP and upgrades from WinSCP 3.7.6 to WinSCP 3.8.2. However, similar procedure applies for other versions of the software.)

1. Remove the old version of WinSCP on the computer:
   
   - Go to "Control Panel" and select "Add or Remove Programs"
   - Select "WinSCP 3.7.6" from the list of installed programs
   - Press "REMOVE"

   

2. Press "YES" when you see the prompt below asking
   "Are you sure you want to completely remove WinSCP3 and all of its components?":

   

3. The WinSCP uninstallation wizard will come up.
   Press "NO" when you see the prompt below asking
   "Do you want to cleanup data stored by the application on this computer?":

   

4. The uninstallation will begin.
   Press "OK" to finish the uninstalltion when you see the prompt
   "WinSCP3 was successfully removed from your computer.":

   

5. Install the new version of WinSCP onto the computer:

   Please follow the instructions here.

[ Back to the top ]