Obtain sFTP host key directly from the ServU server.

cyberlynk

We have ServU servers in house.  Many end-users ask for the host key so they can script sFTP connections.

Is it possible to simply retrieve the key from the server and then email it to the end-users?

jonathan_at_solarwinds

Are you hoping to tell your end users about the correct fingerprint for your server (a security best practice) or really just give them the server's public key (a.k.a. the "host key")? 

To distribute Serv-U's SSH (Server Key) Fingerprint:

1. Connect to the server with a command-line SFTP client on a fresh machine
2. Copy/paste the fingerprint (a.k.a. "thumbprint" or MD5 hash) from the initial prompt
   (it will look like "43:55:66:77:88:99:8b:b7:0a:3a:a9:b1:dd:cc:bb:aa")
3. Send that to your end users whenever you send out other authentication information

To distribute Serv-U's SSH Server Key:

1. Open Serv-U's SFTP/SSH configuration window (at the DOMAIN level)
2. Find where you saved your Serv-U SSH server keys
3. Send your end users the *.PUB file located there (NEVER distribute the *.KEY file!!!)

And yes, it's OK to send either piece of information in clear text using email, text, IM, thumb drive, carrier pigeon, etc.

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

Get Certified File Transfer Professional (CFTP) certified today at http://www.cftpcert.com.