FTP to SFTP Bridge

"FTP to SFTP Bridge" allows a user to use any regular FTP client, such as WS_FTP or Fetch or even Dreamweaver, to connect to an SFTP host. This document describes how to use a free Java application called MindTerm to establish the bridge.

Getting Java

Windows XP users need to download and install a Java Virtual Machine.
Windows 95, 98, ME, NT, and 2000 are equipped with a Java VM.
OS X is equipped with a Java VM.
MacOS 8.5 and newer are equipped with sufficient Java run-time libraries.
MacOS 8.1 and newer, up until 8.5 will require MacOS Runtime for Java, MRJ 2.2.6.

Getting MindTerm

Download MindTerm.
Unzip the file.

Connecting for the First Time

Start MindTerm by double-clicking the mindterm.jar file.
- If the application fails to start, make sure you have Java.
Click Accept to agree to the terms.
Click Yes to create a MindTerm directory.
A MindTerm window opens.

Type people.emich.edu as the host and save people as an alias.

SSH Server/Alias: people.emich.edu
No settings file for people.emich.edu found.
(^C = cancel, ^D or empty = don't save)
Save as alias : people

Click Yes to create a known hosts directory.
Click Yes to add people.emich.edu to your list of known hosts.

Type your username and password.

people.emich.edu login: jdoe
jdoe@people.emich.edu's password: ********
Last login: Fri May  2 17:20:47 2003 from 192.168.10.21
WARNING:  You must have prior authorization to access this system.
            All connections are logged and monitored. By connecting to
            to this system you fully consent to all monitoring.
            Unauthorized access or use will be prosecuted to the full
            extent of the law.  This means you. You have been warned.


This account is restricted by rssh.
Allowed commands: scp sftp

If you believe this is in error, please contact your system administrator.

Press ENTER to disconnect...

Do not disconnect.
Enable the bridge.
- From the Plugins menu, select FTP to SFTP Bridge...
- Change the port to 2121.
  - Listen address: 127.0.0.1 (default)
  - Listen port: 2121 (default: 21)
- Click Enable
- Click Close Dialog
Minimize MindTerm, do not close it, or you will terminate the bridge.

Connecting Later

Start MindTerm by double-clicking the mindterm.jar file.
Type people as the host.

Type your username and password.

people.emich.edu login: jdoe
jdoe@people.emich.edu's password: ********
Last login: Mon May  5 17:33:40 2003 from 192.168.10.21
WARNING:  You must have prior authorization to access this system.
            All connections are logged and monitored. By connecting to
            to this system you fully consent to all monitoring.
            Unauthorized access or use will be prosecuted to the full
            extent of the law.  This means you. You have been warned.


This account is restricted by rssh.
Allowed commands: scp sftp

If you believe this is in error, please contact your system administrator.

Press ENTER to disconnect...

Click OK to acknowledge that the bridge has been established.
Minimize, but do not close, MindTerm.

Software Configuration Tips

Your FTP client or publishing software, such as Dreamweaver, needs to connect to server (or host) 127.0.0.1 port 2121, which is a regular FTP server. If there is no field for the port number, try specifying the hostname as 127.0.0.1:2121, or 127.0.0.1 2121.

Remember, do not close MindTerm until after your FTP session has ended.