Akeneo Activation supports FTP and SFTP storage connections for exchanging data with external systems. You can use these connections to import offer data, export order data, and receive shipment confirmation files. This article explains how to create and manage FTP and SFTP connections in Activation.

How FTP storage connections work in Activation

In Akeneo Activation, an FTP or SFTP connection stores the credentials and server details needed to reach an external file server. Once a connection is saved, it becomes available for selection inside channel job configurations — for example, to specify where Activation should read incoming offer files or write outgoing order exports.

You can create multiple connections, each pointing to a different server or serving a different data exchange purpose. FTP and SFTP are distinct connection types and cannot be converted from one to the other after creation.

Create an FTP or SFTP connection

To create a new FTP or SFTP storage connection in Akeneo Activation:

1. In Activation, go to Settings > Connections.
2. Click Create connection. A modal opens to configure the new connection.
3. In the Connection type dropdown, select either FTP or SFTP depending on your server. This field cannot be changed after saving.
4. Fill in the required fields described below for your chosen connection type.
5. Click Save to create the connection, or Cancel to discard it.

The screenshot above shows the Create connection modal in Akeneo Activation with the Connection type dropdown open, and fields for Label, Host, Port, Username, and Password.

FTP connection fields

When FTP is selected as the connection type, fill in the following fields:

• Label: A descriptive name to identify this connection when selecting it in job configurations.
• Host: The hostname or IP address of the FTP server.
• Port: The port number used by the FTP server. The default FTP port is 21.
• Username: The username required to authenticate with the FTP server.
• Password: The password associated with the username.

FTP connections use username and password authentication only.

SFTP connection fields

When SFTP is selected as the connection type, fill in the following fields:

• Label: A descriptive name to identify this connection when selecting it in job configurations.
• Host: The hostname or IP address of the SFTP server.
• Port: The port number used by the SFTP server. The default SFTP port is 22.
• Connection type (authentication method): Choose between Password or SSH key.
• Password: Enter the Username and Password for the server.
• SSH key: Enter the Username and paste your SSH Key for key-based authentication.

Edit an existing FTP or SFTP connection

To update the details of an existing connection in Akeneo Activation:

1. In Activation, go to Settings > Connections.
2. Find the connection you want to modify and click Edit.
3. Update any of the editable fields: Label, Host, or Port.

1. To update credentials, toggle Edit credentials to Yes. The username and password (or SSH key) fields appear.
2. Click Save to apply your changes, or Cancel to discard them.

The animation above shows editing an existing FTP connection in Akeneo Activation: the Edit modal is opened, the Label and Host fields are updated, and the Edit credentials toggle is used to reveal the credential fields.

Manage multiple connections

Akeneo Activation supports an unlimited number of FTP and SFTP connections. This is useful when exchanging data with several different external systems, or when separating connections by data type (for example, one connection for offers and another for order confirmations).

All connections are listed under Settings > Connections and are available for selection in job configurations inside Activation channels.

Use your FTP connections

Once a connection is created in Akeneo Activation, you can select it in the following job configurations:

• Offer data import: Select an FTP or SFTP connection as the source location for importing offer data (price, stock, condition) into Activation. See Import product offers to Activation for details.
• Order export: Configure a job to export order data to a folder on your FTP or SFTP server. See Manage orders within Activation for details.
• Order shipment confirmation import: Set up a connection to import shipment confirmation files sent by external systems (ERP, OMS) via FTP or SFTP.