Create a Private SFTP Connection

This article shows how to configure a user-owned SFTP endpoint with password or private-key authentication, optional passphrase, exact root, and host-key trust behavior.

What you need to know

  • My Private Storage requires Max/All Access and supports user-owned FTP, SFTP, Google Drive, and OneDrive connections. Local storage remains administrator-created only.
  • Private connection ownership is enforced server-side. Private connections cannot be inserted into administrator shared Workspaces even if request/database values are manipulated.

How to do it

  1. Open My Private Storage → Add/New Private Connection and choose SFTP.
  2. Enter exact root, host, port, username, and either Password or Private-key authentication.
  3. For private-key authentication, enter the key and optional passphrase.
  4. Test the connection and verify host-key trust before enabling it.
  5. The connection remains owned by the current Joomla user and cannot be inserted into a shared administrator Workspace.

Verify the result

  • Test Connection succeeds.
  • The displayed/usable root is exactly the intended root and no parent folder is reachable.
  • A normal authorized user can perform only the operations intended for that connection/Workspace role.

Important limits and mistakes to avoid

  • Never broaden a connection root merely to work around a permission or provider error; fix the actual root/credential/hosting problem.
  • Do not copy administrator or another user’s provider credentials into a private connection as a shortcut; private connections are intentionally isolated.

Troubleshooting

  • If the provider is unreachable, test the connection in Administrator before troubleshooting the Workspace UI.
  • Keep passwords, OAuth secrets/tokens, private keys, and unrestricted private paths out of public screenshots and support posts.

Community Discussion

For practical QCSB workflows and discussion with other Joomla site owners, visit the QC Storage Bridge Community. For private support, bug reports, account-specific entitlement issues, or feature requests, use the QuantaCade support system.