--- title: Set up an SFTP relay description: Configure an SFTP relay to forward files between two servers as-is, with no roster processing. --- [Skip to content](https://help.schoolday.com/knowledge/help/sftp-relay#main-content) English Show submenu for translations [More support](https://help.schoolday.com/knowledge/kb-tickets/new?hsLang=en) [Customer portal](https://help.schoolday.com/support?hsLang=en) ![gg4l logo](https://help.schoolday.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Automated%20emails/gg4l%20logo.png?width=100&height=33&name=gg4l%20logo.png) - [Go to Knowledge Base](https://help.schoolday.com/knowledge) Open main navigation Close main navigation - [Go to Knowledge Base](https://help.schoolday.com/knowledge) - English Show submenu for translations - [More support](https://help.schoolday.com/knowledge/kb-tickets/new) - [Customer portal](https://help.schoolday.com/support) What are you looking for? - There are no suggestions because the search field is empty. 1. [SchoolDay Help Center](https://help.schoolday.com/knowledge?hsLang=en) 2. [Roster Integrations](https://help.schoolday.com/knowledge/roster-integrations?hsLang=en) 3. [SFTP](https://help.schoolday.com/knowledge/roster-integrations?hsLang=en#sftp) September 15, 2026 # Set up an SFTP relay ## Forward files between two SFTP servers without SchoolDay processing their contents. **In this article** > [When to use a relay](https://help.schoolday.com/knowledge/help/sftp-relay#when-to-use-a-relay) > > [Before you begin](https://help.schoolday.com/knowledge/help/sftp-relay#before-you-begin) > > [Step 1: Activate the application](https://help.schoolday.com/knowledge/help/sftp-relay#step-1-activate-the-application) > > [Step 2: Configure the source server](https://help.schoolday.com/knowledge/help/sftp-relay#step-2-configure-the-source-server) > > [Step 3: Configure the target server](https://help.schoolday.com/knowledge/help/sftp-relay#step-3-configure-the-target-server) > > [Step 4: Map the files to forward](https://help.schoolday.com/knowledge/help/sftp-relay#step-4-map-the-files-to-forward) > > [Step 5: Set the schedule](https://help.schoolday.com/knowledge/help/sftp-relay#step-5-set-the-schedule) > > [Step 6: Save the configuration](https://help.schoolday.com/knowledge/help/sftp-relay#step-6-save-the-configuration) > > [Verify the configuration](https://help.schoolday.com/knowledge/help/sftp-relay#verify-the-configuration) > > [Troubleshooting](https://help.schoolday.com/knowledge/help/sftp-relay#troubleshooting) > > [Next steps](https://help.schoolday.com/knowledge/help/sftp-relay#next-steps) An SFTP relay forwards files from one SFTP server to another. SchoolDay moves the files as-is and never reads their contents, so the file format doesn't matter — including formats SchoolDay can't read, such as encrypted files. ### When to use a relay Use a relay when files need to move between two servers and SchoolDay doesn't need to understand them. Use an import or export instead when SchoolDay needs to read the file and turn it into roster data. | **Your goal** | **Use** | | --- | --- | | Bring roster data into SchoolDay from CSV files | [Create an Import SFTP](https://help.schoolday.com/knowledge/configure-a-sftp-integration#Create-Import-SFTP) | | Send SchoolDay data out as CSV files | [Create an Export SFTP](https://help.schoolday.com/knowledge/configure-a-sftp-integration#Create-Export-SFTP) | | Move files between two servers, unchanged | This article | A relay has no Data Schema, Schools Mapping, or Entity Mapping step. Nothing is being interpreted, so there is nothing to map. Relayed files never enter your roster data and never appear in data quality reports. ### Before you begin - Primary District Admin permissions. - Two SFTP servers: a source to read files from, and a target to write them to. Unlike an import or export, both sides are servers you or your vendor control. - Credentials for each server. Each side can use a password or an SSH key, independently of the other. - The exact file names to forward, and the names they should have on the target. Activate your SchoolDay admin account first if you haven't. The activation link emailed to you is valid for 24 hours. Contact [support@schoolday.com](mailto:support@schoolday.com) for a new one if it expires. ### Step 1: Activate the application 1. Go to **Connect** \> **Application Gallery**. 2. Find **SFTP Relay** and click **Activate**. To rename the integration, click the pencil next to **SFTP Relay** in the page header. ### Step 2: Configure the source server The source is the server SchoolDay reads files from. ![sftp-relay-step-1-source-server](https://help.schoolday.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Knowledge%20Base/Configuring%20SIS%20API%20Integration/SFTP/sftp-relay-step-1-source-server.png?width=670&height=397&name=sftp-relay-step-1-source-server.png) 1. On the **Source Server** step, enter the connection details: | **Field** | **Description** | | --- | --- | | **Server** | Select which server to use. Select **Custom** to connect to your own server. | | **Host** | Required. The hostname of the source server. For example, `personal-server.sftp.com`. | | **CIDR** | The IP address of your server in CIDR notation. For example, `198.51.100.0/24` covers `198.51.100.0` through `198.51.100.255`. | | **Port** | Required. Default is `22`. | | **Username** | Required. The username used to connect. | | **Password** | Required unless you use an SSH key. Click the eye icon to check what you typed. | | **Path** | The folder holding the files to forward. Default is `/`. | 1. To authenticate with a key instead of a password, click **Use SSH key instead**. See [Authenticate SFTP exports with a password or SSH key](https://help.schoolday.com/knowledge/sftp-export-authentication-password-vs-ssh-key?hsLang=en) for the key setup steps. 2. To read from the root folder, click **Use home folder**. 3. Click **Test Connection**. **Test Connection** stays unavailable until every required field is filled. Fix any error before moving on. ### Step 3: Configure the target server The target is the server SchoolDay writes files to. It uses the same fields as the source, with two differences: there is no **Server** list — a target is always your own server — and there is an extra option. ![sftp-relay-step-2-target-server](https://help.schoolday.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Knowledge%20Base/Configuring%20SIS%20API%20Integration/SFTP/sftp-relay-step-2-target-server.png?width=670&height=390&name=sftp-relay-step-2-target-server.png) 1. On the **Target Server** step, enter the connection details. 2. Select **Create district folder** to deliver files into a separate folder per district, named as the district's GUID. Leave it blank to deliver files directly to the path. 3. Click **Test Connection**. The source and target must be different servers. ### Step 4: Map the files to forward Only files you list here are forwarded. A file on the source server that isn't mapped is ignored. ![sftp-relay-step-3-files-mapping](https://help.schoolday.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Knowledge%20Base/Configuring%20SIS%20API%20Integration/SFTP/sftp-relay-step-3-files-mapping.png?width=670&height=338&name=sftp-relay-step-3-files-mapping.png) 1. On the **Files Mapping** step, click **New File Mapping**. 2. Under **File on source server**, enter the file's name on the source. 3. Under **Delivered as**, enter the name it should have on the target. To keep the same name, enter it again. 4. Repeat for each file. 5. To stop forwarding a file, click the trash icon on its row. Files are delivered under the name in **Delivered as**, overwriting any existing file with that name on the target. ### Step 5: Set the schedule The **Schedule** step controls how often the relay runs and how much it sends each time. ![sftp-relay-step-4-schedule](https://help.schoolday.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Knowledge%20Base/Configuring%20SIS%20API%20Integration/SFTP/sftp-relay-step-4-schedule.png?width=670&height=338&name=sftp-relay-step-4-schedule.png) Select either option, or both: - **Full Sync Schedule**: every mapped file is sent on every run, whether it changed or not. - **Incremental Sync Schedule**: only files that changed since the last successful delivery are sent. Running both is the usual setup: an incremental schedule that runs often to move changes quickly, and a less frequent full schedule that re-sends everything as a safety net. A file counts as changed when its contents differ from the last copy SchoolDay delivered successfully. A file SchoolDay has never delivered always counts as changed, so the first run sends everything either way. Incremental sync compares whole files, not the records inside them. A single changed byte sends the whole file; an identical file is skipped entirely. If a delivery fails, SchoolDay does not record it as delivered, so the file is retried on the next run. ### Step 6: Save the configuration Click **Finish Configuration**. You can reopen the integration and edit any step afterward, except while it is locked or a run is in progress. Wait for the run to finish, then edit. To remove the integration entirely, click **Delete**. ### Verify the configuration 1. Confirm **Test Connection** succeeded on both the **Source Server** and **Target Server** steps. 2. Place a test file on the source server under one of your mapped source names. 3. After the next scheduled run, confirm the file arrives on the target under its **Delivered as** name. ### Troubleshooting | **Symptom** | **Cause** | **Fix** | | --- | --- | --- | | **Test Connection** is greyed out | A required field is empty | Fill **Host**, **Port**, **Username**, and **Password** (or set up an SSH key) | | **Test Connection** fails on one side only | Credentials or path are wrong for that server | Re-check the host, port, username, and path for that step. The two servers are configured independently | | **Test Connection** fails after generating an SSH key | The public key isn't in the server's authorized\_keys file yet | Copy the public key again and confirm the server owner added it | | A file isn't forwarded | It isn't in **Files Mapping** | Add a row for it. Only mapped files are forwarded | | A file isn't forwarded, and it is mapped | On an incremental run, the file hasn't changed since the last successful delivery | Expected behavior. Add a **Full Sync Schedule** if the target needs a copy on every run | | The wrong file name appears on the target | The **Delivered as** name differs from the source name | Check the row in **Files Mapping** | | Files land in an unexpected folder on the target | **Create district folder** is selected | Clear it to deliver straight to the path | ### Next steps - [Authenticate SFTP exports with a password or SSH key](https://help.schoolday.com/knowledge/sftp-export-authentication-password-vs-ssh-key?hsLang=en) - [Troubleshoot roster data sync issues](https://help.schoolday.com/knowledge/troubleshoot-sync-issues?hsLang=en) - [Getting Started](https://help.schoolday.com/knowledge/getting-started?hsLang=en#main-content) - [Introduction](https://help.schoolday.com/knowledge/getting-started?hsLang=en#introduction) - [Getting Started by Role](https://help.schoolday.com/knowledge/getting-started?hsLang=en#getting-started-by-role) - [Get Support](https://help.schoolday.com/knowledge/getting-started?hsLang=en#get-support) - [Legal](https://help.schoolday.com/knowledge/getting-started?hsLang=en#legal) - [Data Management (Connect)](https://help.schoolday.com/knowledge/data-management-connect?hsLang=en#main-content) - [Introduction](https://help.schoolday.com/knowledge/data-management-connect?hsLang=en#introduction) - [Applications](https://help.schoolday.com/knowledge/data-management-connect?hsLang=en#applications) - [Data Mapping](https://help.schoolday.com/knowledge/data-management-connect?hsLang=en#data-mapping) - [Data Synchronization](https://help.schoolday.com/knowledge/data-management-connect?hsLang=en#data-synchronization) - [Data-Sharing Requests](https://help.schoolday.com/knowledge/data-management-connect?hsLang=en#data-sharing-requests) - [Data Quality](https://help.schoolday.com/knowledge/data-management-connect?hsLang=en#data-quality) - [Data Privacy (Privacy Shield)](https://help.schoolday.com/knowledge/data-management-connect?hsLang=en#data-privacy-privacy-shield) - [Grade Sync Service](https://help.schoolday.com/knowledge/data-management-connect?hsLang=en#grade-sync-service) - [Miscellaneous](https://help.schoolday.com/knowledge/data-management-connect?hsLang=en#miscellaneous) - [Roster Integrations](https://help.schoolday.com/knowledge/roster-integrations?hsLang=en#main-content) - [Introduction](https://help.schoolday.com/knowledge/roster-integrations?hsLang=en#introduction) - [SFTP](https://help.schoolday.com/knowledge/roster-integrations?hsLang=en#sftp) - [PowerSchool Integration](https://help.schoolday.com/knowledge/roster-integrations?hsLang=en#powerschool-integration) - [Import Integrations](https://help.schoolday.com/knowledge/roster-integrations?hsLang=en#import-integrations) - [Export Integrations](https://help.schoolday.com/knowledge/roster-integrations?hsLang=en#export-integrations) - [Administration & Account Settings](https://help.schoolday.com/knowledge/administration-account-settings?hsLang=en#main-content) - [Account Settings](https://help.schoolday.com/knowledge/administration-account-settings?hsLang=en#account-settings) - [Organization Management](https://help.schoolday.com/knowledge/administration-account-settings?hsLang=en#organization-management) - [SSO](https://help.schoolday.com/knowledge/sso?hsLang=en#main-content) - [Introduction](https://help.schoolday.com/knowledge/sso?hsLang=en#introduction) - [Identity provider (IdP) Setup](https://help.schoolday.com/knowledge/sso?hsLang=en#identity-provider-idp-setup) - [SSO Applications](https://help.schoolday.com/knowledge/sso?hsLang=en#sso-applications) - [SSO Resources](https://help.schoolday.com/knowledge/sso?hsLang=en#sso-resources) - [MFA for Administrators](https://help.schoolday.com/knowledge/sso?hsLang=en#mfa-for-administrators) - [MFA for Users (SchoolDay Login)](https://help.schoolday.com/knowledge/sso?hsLang=en#mfa-for-users-schoolday-login) - [ID Card Login](https://help.schoolday.com/knowledge/sso?hsLang=en#id-card-login) - [SSO Troubleshooting](https://help.schoolday.com/knowledge/sso?hsLang=en#sso-troubleshooting) - [LMS Integrations](https://help.schoolday.com/knowledge/lms-integrations?hsLang=en#main-content) - [Coursera Integration Video Guides](https://help.schoolday.com/knowledge/lms-integrations?hsLang=en#coursera-integration-video-guides) - [Coursera Platform Integration](https://help.schoolday.com/knowledge/lms-integrations?hsLang=en#coursera-platform-integration) - [Qwiklabs Platform Integration](https://help.schoolday.com/knowledge/lms-integrations?hsLang=en#qwiklabs-platform-integration) - [LMS Integrations instructions](https://help.schoolday.com/knowledge/lms-integrations?hsLang=en#lms-integrations-instructions) - [Resource Management (App Store)](https://help.schoolday.com/knowledge/resource-management-app-store?hsLang=en#main-content) - [Users & Classes](https://help.schoolday.com/knowledge/resource-management-app-store?hsLang=en#users-classes) - [Resources](https://help.schoolday.com/knowledge/resource-management-app-store?hsLang=en#resources) - [Access & Security](https://help.schoolday.com/knowledge/resource-management-app-store?hsLang=en#access-security) - [Privacy Governance Console (PGC)](https://help.schoolday.com/knowledge/privacy-governance-console-pgc?hsLang=en#main-content) - [Get Started](https://help.schoolday.com/knowledge/privacy-governance-console-pgc?hsLang=en#get-started) - [Monitor and Report](https://help.schoolday.com/knowledge/privacy-governance-console-pgc?hsLang=en#monitor-and-report) - [Govern Apps](https://help.schoolday.com/knowledge/privacy-governance-console-pgc?hsLang=en#govern-apps) - [For Parents/Students](https://help.schoolday.com/knowledge/for-parents-students?hsLang=en) - [For Vendors](https://help.schoolday.com/knowledge/for-vendors?hsLang=en) - [Updates](https://help.schoolday.com/knowledge/updates?hsLang=en#main-content) - [2026](https://help.schoolday.com/knowledge/updates?hsLang=en#2026) - [2025](https://help.schoolday.com/knowledge/updates?hsLang=en#2025) - [2024](https://help.schoolday.com/knowledge/updates?hsLang=en#2024) - [2023](https://help.schoolday.com/knowledge/updates?hsLang=en#2023) - [2022](https://help.schoolday.com/knowledge/updates?hsLang=en#2022) - [Reference](https://help.schoolday.com/knowledge/reference?hsLang=en#main-content) - [APIs](https://help.schoolday.com/knowledge/reference?hsLang=en#apis) - [CSV File Formats](https://help.schoolday.com/knowledge/reference?hsLang=en#csv-file-formats) [![SchoolDay logo](https://help.schoolday.com/hs-fs/hubfs/schoolday-logo%20(300%20x%20100%20px)%20(1).png?width=300&height=100&name=schoolday-logo%20(300%20x%20100%20px)%20(1).png "SchoolDay logo")](http://schoolday.com) [mailto:support@schoolday.com](mailto:support@schoolday.com) Copyright © 2025, SchoolDay, Inc.