4.6. Server’s process

When launched, the server starts a series of file transfer services, using various file transfer protocols. It also starts the internal services used by all file transfer services; for example, the authentication service and the log service.

All services are executed under a single server process.

This page describes general server configuration options and options affecting all file transfer services.

4.6.1. Configuration for the main server process

Configuration options affecting all services are grouped inside the server section.

Here is a sample for the server section:

[server]
uuid = 530019d0-92ce-11e2-9e96-0800200c9a66
name = Short_Name_For_Server
description = Long text describing the server
account = sftpplus
execute_at_startup = Disabled
umask = 022
authentications = 0022b17a-30a0-4b70, ffa17005-51c2-42f1

4.6.1.1. uuid

Optional:

No

Default value:

‘single-server-uuid’.

Values:

• An unique identifier among all servers active in a deployment
• Alphanumeric and dash (‘-‘) character. No space characters.

From version:

2.0.0

To version:

None

Description:

The universally unique identifier (UUID) allows the server to be identified when multiple servers are active in the same deployment.

It can be any unique string, but we recommend using the UUID standard format.

When aggregating audit entries (logs) or authentication requests from multiple servers, the UUID is used to identify the source server.

UUIDs are intended to be used for low-level server implementations. For a human-readable name, please use the name attribute.

Once a UUID is defined, it is not recommended to change it.

To generate a UUID value, please check the dedicated documentation for admin-commands generate-uuid.

For more details, please check Wikipedia’s article on UUID.

4.6.1.2. name

Optional:

No

Default value:

‘single-server-name’.

Values:

• Human-readable name for this server.
• This may be a fully qualified domain name (FQDN).
• Any text.

From version:

2.0.0

To version:

None

Description:

This is a human-readable companion for the UUID.

As long as the uuid is not changed, you can change the name at any time, and the server will still be recognized in a multiple deployment architecture.

4.6.1.3. description

Optional:

Yes

Default value:

‘’

Values:

• Free form text describing this server.

From version:

2.0.0

To version:

None

Description:

This can be used for any free form text attached to this server. It can include contact information about the system administrator, comments or other details specific to the installation.

4.6.1.4. account

Optional:

Yes

Default value:

sftpplus

Values:

• A user under which the server will operate.
• Disabled - if the server should use the same user as the one used to launch the server process.

From version:

1.6.0

To version:

None

Description:

This is a system account used by the server to run its main operations with restricted privileges on Unix systems.

To disable running the server under a dedicated account, set this value to Disabled.

This option is ignored on Windows systems, where the server will operate under the same account as the one used for starting the server.

4.6.1.5. execute_at_startup

Optional:

Yes

Default value:

Disabled

Values:

• Path to an external script or executable which will be called at server’s start.
• Disabled - no command will be executed.

From version:

1.7.0

To version:

None

Description:

Specifies the external executable or script to be executed just after the server starts.

Set it to ‘Disabled’ not to run any command.

This can be used, for example, on Windows operating systems, to map network drives. The server comes with an example script. execute_at_startup: execute_at_startup.bat

The command will be executed under the account launching the server and not under the account defined by the ‘account’ option.

4.6.1.6. umask

Optional:

Yes

Default value:

022

Values:

• User mask in octal format.

From version:

1.7.0

To version:

None

Description:

User mask file permissions used for creating new files and folders on the server.

When creating new files, the server will use the 0666 mode, masked with the value of umask.

When creating new folders, the server will use the 0777 mode, masked with the value of umask.

This option is ignored on Windows systems.

4.6.1.7. authentications

Optional:

No

Default value:

empty

Values:

• List of authentication UUIDs

From version:

2.10.0

To version: Description:

Comma-separated list of UUIDs with global authentication methods enabled on this server.

The list should be ordered by priority. The server will try to use the first authentication from the list, and continue with the following method if the user is not rejected.

When a service defines its own authentication list, the global list is ignored.