> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://support.iafcertsearch.org/accreditation-bodies/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://support.iafcertsearch.org/accreditation-bodies/data-management/import-settings/ftp-settings.md).

# FTP Settings

## Getting Started

In this section, you'll have the ability to manage your FTP Connections settings and the files you want to retrieve or [*fetch*](#user-content-fn-1)[^1] from your FTP server.

1. [Setting up an Active FTP Connection](#setting-up-your-ftp-connection-settings)
2. [Define the files](#define-the-filenames) that should be retrieved from the FTP
3. [Fetch files ](#fetch-files-from-ftp)for data import
4. [View FTP Import Activities](#ftp-data-import-activities)

## Setting up your FTP Connection Settings

1. Go to "**Import Settings"**
2. You will be redirected to the **'FTP Settings' tab**
3. Click the **'Edit'** button

* FTP Access Status
  * <mark style="color:green;">**Active**</mark>, *continuously fetch/download the files from the FTP*
  * <mark style="color:red;">**Inactive**</mark>, *stops fetching /downloading the files from the FTP*
* FTP Server Protocol
  * **FTP**, *relies on usernames and passwords for authentication*
  * **SFTP**, *uses SSH keys for authentication, which are much more secure*
* Server Host
* Server Port
* Server Username
* Server Password&#x20;
  * If **SFTP** is selected, add the **Private Key**

4. To check if the FTP is successfully connected, click the '**Test FTP Connection'** button.
5. Once the FTP is connected, click **'Save Changes'**

Once you are done setting up your FTP connection, the next step is to add the files you want to fetch or retrieve from the FTP servers.

To individually add the filenames for Certification Body and Certification data go to the following:

> [Define filenames for Certification Body data](/accreditation-bodies/data-management/import-certification-body/ftp-access.md#how-to-add-filenames)
>
> [Define filenemes for Certification data](/accreditation-bodies/data-management/import-certification/data-import-methods/ftp.md#how-to-add-filenames)

[^1]: Process of retrieving or downloading files from the FTP server