Installing and Configuring SFTP Drive v3 SFTP Drive v3 is a specialized utility that allows users to mount remote file systems as local Windows drives using the Secure File Transfer Protocol (SFTP). By integrating remote servers directly into Windows Explorer, it eliminates the need for manual upload/download cycles through a traditional client. 1. Installation Procedures

The installation process depends on whether you are using a managed enterprise environment or a personal device.

Managed Environments (Software Center): Open the Start Menu, type "Company Portal" or "Software Center," and search for SFTP Drive V3 under "Recently published apps". Click Install; a checkmark will appear once complete.

Direct Download: For individual users, visit the official Callback Technologies download page or your organization's specific download portal (e.g., Pitt Software Download Service).

Requirements: Ensure you have administrative rights. On Linux, the software requires Microsoft .NET 6 (or later) and FUSE 2 to function properly. 2. Initial Configuration

Once installed, you must create a "Drive Profile" to define the connection parameters.

Open the Application: Launch SFTP Drive V3 from the Start Menu.

Create a New Drive: Click New under Drive Management to open the Edit Drive dialog. Define Connection Details:

Drive Name: Assign a descriptive label (e.g., "Production_Files").

Drive Letter: Select an available letter (e.g., "P:" or "T:").

Remote Host: Enter the server address (e.g., ://example.com). Remote Port: The default is typically 22. 3. Authentication & Security

SFTP Drive v3 supports several secure login methods tailored to different security needs: Password: Standard credential-based login.

Key-Based: Supports .ppk, .pem, and .pfx files for private key authentication.

Multi-Factor (MFA): Supports hardware security keys like YubiKey using the PKCS#11 library for hardware-backed 2FA.

FIPS Mode: Can be enabled for high-security environments requiring compliance with federal standards. 4. Mounting the Drive

After entering your credentials, click Test SSH Connection to verify the settings. If successful, click OK to save the profile. Finally, select the drive from the main list and click Start. The remote system will now appear as a local disk in Windows Explorer, allowing you to move, copy, and rename files as if they were on your hard drive.

How to Install and Configure SFTP Drive V3 - services.pitt.edu

SFTP Drive V3 is a utility designed to mount remote file systems as local Windows drives using the SFTP protocol. This allows you to interact with remote files using standard file managers like Windows Explorer as if they were stored locally. University of Pittsburgh Key Installation & Setup Steps Download & Install : You can download the software directly from the Callback Technologies website

. Follow the on-screen prompts, typically accepting the default settings for a standard installation. Launch the App SFTP Drive V3 from your Start Menu. Create a New Drive Profile Navigate to the tab and click Drive Name : Enter a descriptive name (e.g., "PITTSFTP PROD"). Drive Letter : Choose an available letter (e.g., "P"). Remote Host : Enter the server address (e.g., ://example.com ) and ensure the Remote Port is set to 22. Authentication : Select your Authentication Type

(typically "Password" or "Key-based") and enter your credentials. Test & Start Test SSH Connection to verify settings. Once confirmed, press in the main window to mount the drive. University of Pittsburgh Primary Features Seamless Integration

: Work with remote file systems via your favorite file manager; it handles all directory and file operations like move, copy, and rename. Security & Authentication

: Supports password, key-based (PPK, PEM, PFX), and multi-factor authentication. It is also compatible with physical security keys like Performance Optimization

: Includes optional asynchronous-mode caching to improve the speed of browsing remote files. Flexible Execution : Can be run as a standard desktop application or as a Windows Service for persistent background connections. Multi-User Support

: Depending on the license, it allows drives to be shared among all local users or isolated to specific individuals. Callback Technologies or configuring automated backups using your new SFTP drive?

How to Install and Configure SFTP Drive V3 - services.pitt.edu

Why Upgrade to v3?

If you are coming from older versions, v3 offers several distinct advantages:

  • Improved Stability: Better handling of dropped connections and sleep/wake cycles.
  • Performance: Optimized file streaming for large files.
  • Modern UI: The settings panel is more intuitive, making it easier to manage multiple connections simultaneously.

Auto-mount on system startup

  • In SFTP Drive main window, right-click your drive → Properties.
  • Enable “Connect automatically when the application starts”.
  • Add the SFTP Drive shortcut to your Startup folder (shell:startup).

Step 4: Create Your First SFTP Drive

  1. Click the “+” (New Drive) button or go to Drive → New Drive.
  2. Fill in the connection settings:

| Field | Example | |-------|---------| | Host | sftp.example.com or IP like 192.168.1.100 | | Port | 22 (change if non-standard) | | Protocol | SFTP (default) | | Authentication | Password or Private Key | | Username | your_sftp_user | | Password | •••••••• (or browse for a private key file) |

  1. Click Test Connection to verify.
  2. Under Drive Settings:
    • Drive Letter: Select X: (or any free letter)
    • Mount as: Drive Letter or Folder path (e.g., C:\sftp_mount)
    • Reconnect at logon: Check if desired
  3. Click OK.

The drive should now appear in Windows File Explorer.

Troubleshooting

| Issue | Solution | |--------|----------| | Driver not loading | Disable driver signature enforcement temporarily | | Slow browsing | Increase SSH channel buffer to 32 KB | | Connection drops | Enable Keep alive (60s) |