As a developer, you will have the opportunity to transfer files, such as Excel, CVS, Images, and flat files, to third-party or upstream/downstream systems. There are different ways to transfer. Different ways to transfer Different ways to transfer Transfer through the SFTP client through an open-source package
File copy method using service account Transfer through the SFTP client through an open-source package File copy method using service account What are the methods in the open-source package? What are the methods in the open-source package? Secure File Transfer Protocols
Cloud-Based File Sharing
API’s and Webhooks
Managed File Transfer (MFT)
Email with Encryption
VPN + Network shares
Message Queues or Middleware Secure File Transfer Protocols Cloud-Based File Sharing API’s and Webhooks Managed File Transfer (MFT) Email with Encryption VPN + Network shares Message Queues or Middleware In this blog, I will explain the use case and practical implementation of a widely used open-source API for automated, secure file transfers. Transfer through the SFTP client through an open-source package- SSH.NET Transfer through the SFTP client through an open-source package- SSH.NET We have popular packages such as SSH.NET, WinSCP.NET, SharpSSH & etc. In my point of view, for open-source and .NET Core compatibility, SSH.NET is the best choice. It’s lightweight, actively used, and works well for most SFTP needs. SSH.NET Let’s go for practical implementation Install NuGet Package: Install-Package SSH.NET Install-Package SSH.NET Reference: https://www.nuget.org/packages/ssh.net/ https://www.nuget.org/packages/ssh.net/ Authentication Method Options Authentication Method Options Private Key Authentication Method
Password Authentication Method
Keyboard Interactive Authentication Method Private Key Authentication Method Password Authentication Method Keyboard Interactive Authentication Method Private Key Authentication Method using Renci.SshNet;
using System.Text;


//Private key
var key = System.IO.File.ReadAllText("privatekey.ppk");
//sftp_host
var sftp_host = "sftp_server";
//sftp_user
var sftp_username = "sftpuser";
//file to transfer
var file = "C:\\Users\\test.txt";
//sftp_folder directory
var sftp_folderpath = "/appl/data/inbound";
var buf = new MemoryStream(Encoding.UTF8.GetBytes(key));
var privateKeyFile = new PrivateKeyFile(buf);
// Attach the private key while making connection
var connectionInfo = new ConnectionInfo(sftp_host, sftp_username,
    new PrivateKeyAuthenticationMethod(sftp_username, privateKeyFile));

//Connect through Port ( Default Port is 22 )
/*
var connectionbyPort = new
ConnectionInfo
(   string host, 
    int port, 
    string username, 
    params AuthenticationMethod[] authenticationMethods
);
*/

//Connect through Proxy  ( HTTP, SOCKS4, SOCKS5 ).
/*
 * proxyType: Enum ProxyTypes.
   proxyHost, proxyPort, proxyUsername, proxyPassword: Proxy details.
var connectionbyPort = new ConnectionInfo(
    string host,
    int port,
    string username,
    ProxyTypes proxyType,
    string proxyHost,
    int proxyPort,
    string proxyUsername,
    string proxyPassword,
    params AuthenticationMethod[] authenticationMethods);
*/

using (var client = new SftpClient(connectionInfo))
{
    try
    {
        using (FileStream fs = System.IO.File.Open(file, FileMode.Open))
        {
            client.Connect();
            client.UploadFile(fs, sftp_folderpath+ Path.GetFileName(file), null);
            client.Disconnect();
        }
    }
    catch (Exception ex)
    {
        if (client.IsConnected)
            client.Disconnect();
    }
} using Renci.SshNet;
using System.Text;


//Private key
var key = System.IO.File.ReadAllText("privatekey.ppk");
//sftp_host
var sftp_host = "sftp_server";
//sftp_user
var sftp_username = "sftpuser";
//file to transfer
var file = "C:\\Users\\test.txt";
//sftp_folder directory
var sftp_folderpath = "/appl/data/inbound";
var buf = new MemoryStream(Encoding.UTF8.GetBytes(key));
var privateKeyFile = new PrivateKeyFile(buf);
// Attach the private key while making connection
var connectionInfo = new ConnectionInfo(sftp_host, sftp_username,
    new PrivateKeyAuthenticationMethod(sftp_username, privateKeyFile));

//Connect through Port ( Default Port is 22 )
/*
var connectionbyPort = new
ConnectionInfo
(   string host, 
    int port, 
    string username, 
    params AuthenticationMethod[] authenticationMethods
);
*/

//Connect through Proxy  ( HTTP, SOCKS4, SOCKS5 ).
/*
 * proxyType: Enum ProxyTypes.
   proxyHost, proxyPort, proxyUsername, proxyPassword: Proxy details.
var connectionbyPort = new ConnectionInfo(
    string host,
    int port,
    string username,
    ProxyTypes proxyType,
    string proxyHost,
    int proxyPort,
    string proxyUsername,
    string proxyPassword,
    params AuthenticationMethod[] authenticationMethods);
*/

using (var client = new SftpClient(connectionInfo))
{
    try
    {
        using (FileStream fs = System.IO.File.Open(file, FileMode.Open))
        {
            client.Connect();
            client.UploadFile(fs, sftp_folderpath+ Path.GetFileName(file), null);
            client.Disconnect();
        }
    }
    catch (Exception ex)
    {
        if (client.IsConnected)
            client.Disconnect();
    }
} Password Authentication Method string username = "your-username";
string password = "your-password";

//sftp_host
var host = "sftp_server";
int port = 22;

//file to transfer
var file = "C:\\Users\\test.txt";

//sftp_folder directory
var sftp_folderpath = "/appl/data/inbound";



using (var client = new SshClient(host,port,username,password))
{
     
    try
    {
        if(sftp.IsConnected)
          {
            client.Connect();
            Console.WriteLine("Connected successfully!");
                using (FileStream fs = System.IO.File.Open(file, FileMode.Open))
                {
                    client.Connect();
                    client.UploadFile(fs, sftp_folderpath + Path.GetFileName(file), null);
                    client.Disconnect();
              }
        }
    }
    catch (Exception ex)
    {
        if (client.IsConnected)
            client.Disconnect();
    }
 
} string username = "your-username";
string password = "your-password";

//sftp_host
var host = "sftp_server";
int port = 22;

//file to transfer
var file = "C:\\Users\\test.txt";

//sftp_folder directory
var sftp_folderpath = "/appl/data/inbound";



using (var client = new SshClient(host,port,username,password))
{
     
    try
    {
        if(sftp.IsConnected)
          {
            client.Connect();
            Console.WriteLine("Connected successfully!");
                using (FileStream fs = System.IO.File.Open(file, FileMode.Open))
                {
                    client.Connect();
                    client.UploadFile(fs, sftp_folderpath + Path.GetFileName(file), null);
                    client.Disconnect();
              }
        }
    }
    catch (Exception ex)
    {
        if (client.IsConnected)
            client.Disconnect();
    }
 
} Keyboard Interactive Authentication Method string username = "your-username";
string password = "your-password";

//sftp_host
var host = "sftp_server";
int port = 22;

//file to transfer
var file = "C:\\Users\\test.txt";

//sftp_folder directory
var sftp_folderpath = "/appl/data/inbound";

// Define the keyboard-interactive authentication method
var keyboardAuth = new KeyboardInteractiveAuthenticationMethod(username);

// Handle the interactive prompts
 keyboardAuth.AuthenticationPrompt += (sender, e) =>
        {
            foreach (var prompt in e .Prompts)
            {
                Console.WriteLine($"Prompt: {prompt.Request}");

                // Automatically respond if the prompt contains 'Password'
                if (prompt.Request.ToLower().Contains("password"))
                {
                    prompt.Response = password;
                }
                // You could add logic here to handle OTP or verification codes
                // else if (prompt.Request.ToLower().Contains("verification code"))
                // {
                //     prompt.Response = "123456"; // Example for OTP
                // }
            }
      };

 // Optionally add password-based auth fallback
 var passwordAuth = new PasswordAuthenticationMethod(username, password);

  // Combine both authentication methods
  var connectionInfo = new ConnectionInfo(
            host,
            port,
            username,
            passwordAuth,
            keyboardAuth
        );

//Transfer file using connection
using (var client = new SftpClient(connectionInfo))
{
    try
    {
        using (FileStream fs = System.IO.File.Open(file, FileMode.Open))
        {
            client.Connect();
            client.UploadFile(fs, sftp_folderpath+ Path.GetFileName(file), null);
            client.Disconnect();
        }
    }
    catch (Exception ex)
    {
        if (client.IsConnected)
            client.Disconnect();
    }
} string username = "your-username";
string password = "your-password";

//sftp_host
var host = "sftp_server";
int port = 22;

//file to transfer
var file = "C:\\Users\\test.txt";

//sftp_folder directory
var sftp_folderpath = "/appl/data/inbound";

// Define the keyboard-interactive authentication method
var keyboardAuth = new KeyboardInteractiveAuthenticationMethod(username);

// Handle the interactive prompts
 keyboardAuth.AuthenticationPrompt += (sender, e) =>
        {
            foreach (var prompt in e .Prompts)
            {
                Console.WriteLine($"Prompt: {prompt.Request}");

                // Automatically respond if the prompt contains 'Password'
                if (prompt.Request.ToLower().Contains("password"))
                {
                    prompt.Response = password;
                }
                // You could add logic here to handle OTP or verification codes
                // else if (prompt.Request.ToLower().Contains("verification code"))
                // {
                //     prompt.Response = "123456"; // Example for OTP
                // }
            }
      };

 // Optionally add password-based auth fallback
 var passwordAuth = new PasswordAuthenticationMethod(username, password);

  // Combine both authentication methods
  var connectionInfo = new ConnectionInfo(
            host,
            port,
            username,
            passwordAuth,
            keyboardAuth
        );

//Transfer file using connection
using (var client = new SftpClient(connectionInfo))
{
    try
    {
        using (FileStream fs = System.IO.File.Open(file, FileMode.Open))
        {
            client.Connect();
            client.UploadFile(fs, sftp_folderpath+ Path.GetFileName(file), null);
            client.Disconnect();
        }
    }
    catch (Exception ex)
    {
        if (client.IsConnected)
            client.Disconnect();
    }
} File copy method using service account File copy method using service account This approach provides a simple way to transfer files, provided the target system permits creating a service account.To implement it, create a service account user (similar to a regular user account) and grant it read/write access to the target directory. //file to transfer
var source = "C:\\Users\\test.txt";

//sftp_folder directory
var target = "/appl/data/inbound";

File.Copy(source, target); //file to transfer
var source = "C:\\Users\\test.txt";

//sftp_folder directory
var target = "/appl/data/inbound";

File.Copy(source, target); While deploying the solution into the server, you need to log on with this service account user Windows service logon through a service account user Windows service logon through a service account user For Example, in Windows Server - Services ( “services.msc”), we need to log on to that service by using username & password. In IIS In IIS In Project – Advanced settings – Physical path credentials – Log on with user name & password. as it is less code-intensive and relies solely on. Summary Summary Based on my professional experience, I would say the file copy method is the best way to transfer, which is a less code-intensive implementation, and relies only on the network transfer. Hope you enjoyed the article!!!

Uploading Files to an SFTP Platform in C#.NET — Complete Guide

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