SSH (Secure Shell) and SFTP (Secure File Transfer Protocol) are both essential tools for secure network communication, but they serve different purposes. Here's a breakdown of their key differences:
🔑 What is SSH?
SSH is a cryptographic network protocol used for:
- Remote command execution 🐧
- Secure file transfer 📁
- Authentication & encryption 🔒
[!info] Tip: Use SSH for general remote access and administration.
📥 What is SFTP?
SFTP is a subsystem of SSH focused on:
- File transfer over SSH 🌐
- Secure data exchange 🔄
- Limited to file operations 📂
[!warning] Note: SFTP does not support interactive shell access.
📊 Key Comparisons
| Feature | SSH | SFTP |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Use | Remote access & execution | File transfer only |
| Port | 22 (default) | 22 (uses SSH port) |
| Security | Strong encryption | Inherits SSH security |
| Interactive Shell | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
[!tip] For more technical details, check our SSH configuration guide.
🛡️ When to Use Which?
- Use SSH for:
- Remote server management 🧹
- Tunneling other protocols (e.g., HTTP) 🌐
- Secure shell access 🖥️
- Use SFTP for:
- Transferring files between servers 📥
- Automated backups 🔄
- Secure data synchronization 📁
[!question] Need help choosing between SSH and SFTP? Ask in the community forum.
Let me know if you'd like a visual comparison chart or code examples! 📈📝