How to Connect to Your Gaming Server via SFTP

Context

You manage a gaming server at Winheberg (FiveM, BeamMP, Minecraft, or another) and want to transfer large files that the panel won't let you upload directly? Whether it's a BeamMP map several hundred MB in size, a full FiveM framework, or an entire resources folder to upload at once, SFTP is the go-to solution.

The Winheberg panel enforces a 100 MB upload limit through the web interface. Beyond that, or to handle a large number of files at once, you need to use an SFTP client like FileZilla or WinSCP, both of which install for free on your PC.

What is SFTP and why use it?

SFTP (SSH File Transfer Protocol) is a secure protocol that lets you manage your remote server's files as if they were on your PC, with a simple drag and drop. It's the equivalent of FTP but encrypted, so your credentials and files don't travel in plain text over the network.

Here are a few typical use cases.

• Uploading a modded BeamMP map over 100 MB
• Migrating a complete FiveM server from another host
• Uploading several resources at once without clicking through each file
• Downloading a full backup of your server to your PC
• Editing config files faster than with the panel's web editor

Prerequisites

Before you start, make sure you have the following.

• An active gaming server on your Winheberg panel (FiveM, BeamMP, etc.)
• FileZilla or WinSCP installed on your PC (both are free and open-source)
• Your Winheberg panel account password (it's the same one used for SFTP)

1. Download and install an SFTP client

Option A. FileZilla

1. Go to filezilla-project.org
2. Download the FileZilla Client version (not the server)
3. Run the installer and follow the default steps
4. When prompted, uncheck any additional software offered (toolbars, antivirus, etc.) that you don't need

Option B. WinSCP

1. Go to winscp.net
2. Download the latest version
3. Run the installer and follow the default steps
4. Choose the Commander interface (recommended) or Explorer, based on your preference

2. Get your SFTP credentials from the panel

All your SFTP credentials are available directly in the Winheberg panel.

1. Log in to your Winheberg gaming panel
2. Select your server
3. In the side menu, click Settings
4. Find the SFTP Details section (or equivalent)

You'll find the 3 key pieces of information there.

Field	Description
SFTP Address	The SFTP server's address (in hostname or sftp://hostname:port format)
Port	The port to use (different from the standard port 22)
Username	Your SFTP username (usually your identifier followed by the server number)

3. Connect with FileZilla

Quick Connect

For a one-off connection, the quick connect bar at the top of FileZilla is enough.

1. Open FileZilla
2. In the top bar, fill in the fields as shown in the table below.

FileZilla field	Value to enter
Host	Copy the SFTP address shown in your panel
Username	Your SFTP username
Password	Your Winheberg panel password
Port	The SFTP port provided in your panel

3. Click Quickconnect

On first connection, FileZilla will ask you to verify the server's SSH key. Check the Always trust this host box and click OK.

Persistent connection (Site Manager)

To avoid retyping the details every time, save your server in the Site Manager.

1. Click File → Site Manager (or the Ctrl+S shortcut)
2. Click New site and give it a name (for example Winheberg - My FiveM Server)
3. In the General tab, set up the fields as shown below.

FileZilla field	Value to enter
Protocol	SFTP - SSH File Transfer Protocol
Host	Your SFTP Address
Port	Your SFTP port
Logon Type	Ask for password (or Normal if you want it saved)
User	Your SFTP username

4. Click Connect

4. Connect with WinSCP

First connection

1. Launch WinSCP
2. The Login window opens automatically
3. Fill in the fields as shown in the table below.

WinSCP field	Value to enter
File protocol	SFTP
Host name	Your SFTP Address
Port number	Your SFTP port
User name	Your SFTP username
Password	Your panel password (or leave it blank to be prompted at each connection)

4. Click Save to remember the session (recommended)
5. Click Login

On first connection, WinSCP will ask you to verify the server's SSH key. Click Yes to accept it.

Quick reconnection

The next time you use it, you'll find your saved session in the list on the left when WinSCP launches. A double-click on it is enough to reconnect.

5. Browse the server's files

Once connected, you'll see two panes side by side.

• The left pane shows your local files (your PC)
• The right pane shows your Winheberg server's files

Your server's root is in the /home/container/ folder. That's where you'll find the essential files depending on your server type.

Server type	Typical files
FiveM	server.cfg, resources/ folder
BeamMP	ServerConfig.toml, Resources/Client/ and Resources/Server/ folders
Minecraft	server.properties, plugins/, mods/, or world/ folder

6. Transfer files

Upload (to the server)

To send a file from your PC to your server.

1. In the left pane, navigate to the folder containing your file
2. In the right pane, navigate to the destination location on the server
3. Drag and drop the file (or folder) from the left pane to the right pane
4. The transfer starts, you'll see the progress at the bottom of the screen

Download (from the server)

To download a file from the server to your PC, it's the reverse.

1. In the right pane, select the file to retrieve
2. Drag and drop it to the left pane
3. The download starts

If you run into trouble

Here are the most common errors when connecting via SFTP.

❌ Authentication failed / Incorrect password

If your password is rejected.

• Check that you're using your panel account password (not a MySQL password or another one)
• Check that there's no accidental space before or after the password
• If you recently changed your panel password, the SFTP password changed at the same time
• Reset your panel password and try again

❌ Connection refused / Connection timed out

If the connection doesn't go through at all.

• Check that you're using the correct port (not the default 22, but the one provided by the panel)
• Check the SFTP address copied from the panel (no typo)
• Check that your server is actually active in the panel
• Check that your local firewall or VPN isn't blocking the outbound connection

❌ Host key has changed / Different SSH key

If you see a warning about the SSH key after an update.

• This is normal after certain maintenance operations on Winheberg's side
• Confirm the new key by clicking Yes or Accept
• If the message persists for no reason, remove the old key in the client's settings (FileZilla, Edit → Settings → Connection → SFTP menu)

❌ The transfer is very slow

If your uploads or downloads are unusually slow.

• Check your own internet connection (test on fast.com or speedtest.net)
• Avoid transferring several files in parallel, which can saturate your bandwidth
• For large files, temporarily disable your antivirus, which can scan every packet (turn it back on afterward)

❌ Permission denied during an upload

If you get a write access denial.

• Check that you're trying to write into /home/container/ or its subfolders
• Some system folders can't be modified by the client
• If the issue persists, contact our support

Best practices

A few recommendations for using SFTP safely.

• Back up your server before overwriting important files via SFTP
• Never delete files whose purpose you don't know (when in doubt, contact our support)
• Don't modify server binary files (FiveM artifacts, BeamMP-Server, etc.), Winheberg manages them automatically
• Use the Site Manager to save your servers and save time
• Never share your SFTP credentials, they give full access to your server's files
• Enable 2FA on your panel account to add a layer of security

Need help?

If you can't connect via SFTP despite these steps, or if you're unsure about which files to edit, our team is here. Open a ticket in the Technical department from your client area and fill in the Related Product field with the server in question.

Your server is now accessible via SFTP, ready for your large file transfers 🚀