By default, Google Cloud does not offer an SFTP/FTP gateway. Finding a compatible solution for SFTP/FTP with Google Cloud is challenging enough. To make it harder, there aren’t many client-friendly SFTP/FTP servers that enable you to connect to your Google Cloud storage and allow external users to send and receive data.
One solution to this is Couchdrop. Couchdrop is the only SFTP/FTP server that integrates with all the major cloud storage providers by default, enabling you to turn them into your SFTP endpoint.
Here, we'll show you how to set up and use an FTP or SFTP gateway for Google Cloud storage with Couchdrop.
Configuring Google Cloud Storage as an SFTP with Couchdrop
Configuring your Google Cloud storage as an SFTP gateway is fast and simple with Couchdrop thanks to the native connection with GCS. In short, all you need is to have a GCS bucket you want to transfer files into and a JSON file for your service account.
Register an account and configure GCS
To get started, register an account at Couchdrop and then choose to add a new storage connection and select Google Cloud. Here is where you'll specify the name of your GCS bucket. There is also a field to upload a service account JSON file, which is required in order to allow Couchdrop to access the bucket.
For more details on GCS service accounts, why they're required, and how to export data in a JSON file, see Google's Service accounts overview article.
After adding the integration and confirming that Couchdrop has successfully connected, you can use the GCS bucket as an endpoint where users can transfer files via FTP or SFTP.
Create FTP/SFTP users
Next, you'll need to create users who have permission to transfer files involving your GCS bucket.
Couchdrop lets you create users manually, or you can autogenerate users with specific permission sets. With either method, you have full control over modifying details and permissions at any time. Some of these modifiable permissions include a firewall to restrict IP access, the ability to limit protocol access (disable FTP), and the option to restrict the user to a specific folder as their root directory.
After a user has been generated, you need to provide the credentials to the end user. An easy way to do this is to send them directly from Couchdrop, which will generate an email with the credentials and SFTP/FTP connection details. Simply click to share instructions, then add the user email and an optional custom message to send their details.
SFTP/FTP into your connected Google Cloud Storage
Once Google Cloud is successfully connected to Couchdrop, any external users you created with appropriate permissions can now upload/download files via SFTP directly with the GCS bucket. They can do this by connecting through SFTP by their method of choice, including using Filezilla or other SFTP clients.
SFTP gateways with other storage platforms
Along with Google Cloud, you can follow a similar process to create an SFTP gateway to connect to any other compatible storage, meaning a user could access Google Cloud, Google Workspace, Dropbox, SharePoint, and more with SFTP.
All connections are simple and easy to set up, and most can be done in under a minute using the native integrations. You can try Google Cloud SFTP/FTP by starting a trial to see the results for yourself. Simply register for an account and you'll get instant access for 14 days to try Couchdrop with no credit card required. Start your free trial now.