Setup sFTP on a PowerSchool Server

The nightly exports come to us via Data Export Manager (DEM). PowerSchool transfers the file created by DEM to us using Secure File Transfer Protocol (sFTP). sFTP encrypts the data before sending it so that it can't be stolen along the way. In order for PowerSchool to be able to do this we need to set up the sFTP account within PowerSchool so it will know how to connect and encrypt.

Video Demo:

The following demonstrates how to setup the sFTP connection on your server.

Steps to setup sFTP on PowerSchool

1. Navigate to System > System Settings > Plugin Management Configuration
   1. you may be wondering why sFTP is setup in the plugin area, we are too but that's where it is
2. Find Remote Connection Manager
   
3. Click the name "Remote Connection Manager" to go into the plugin
4. Click "Remote Connection Manager" (again) to go into the settings area
   
5. Click "Create Connection"
6. Enter the information we sent you. Your settings should look something like this
   
7. Since this is the first time your server has communicated with our server PowerSchool is going to prompt you to give it permission. Even though it's orange it's not a problem, just asking you to OK the connection. At this point it hasn't even attempted to log into our sFTP service.
8. Once the connection is established click "Submit"
9. It should look something like this
   

Should we check Allow Download?

No, Allow download would be giving permission for our server to download files to your server. We only want your server to upload them to our server. This way you know we don't even have the ability to put files you don't want on your server.

Do we need a Remote Path?

No. When we create your sFTP account we give it permission only to your folder. The account can't get to anyone else's account so there is no need for a path, you'll start directly in your own folder.