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Upload a File via LiveRamp's SFTP

Follow the steps below to upload a file via LiveRamp's SFTP, either with an SFTP client or from the command line.

Note

  • You can perform most functions as with other SFTP connections, such as deleting files and creating or moving directories. Be sure not to delete the "/uploads" directory however.

  • When using LiveRamp's SFTP, keep your file uploads under 1TB/day across all audiences in your account. If you need to exceed this limit, consider using an S3 bucket or your SFTP.

  • Want to improve security? LiveRamp supports SSH key pair authentication, and requires SSH key pair authentication for EMEA data files. To use this option, send your SSH public key file to LiveRamp by creating a case in the LiveRamp Community portal (or contact your LiveRamp representative if you don't have access to the portal).

  • The LiveRamp SFTP does not require an allowlist in order to receive files from your servers

  • Uploading with WinSCP? Make sure not to send files with an extension of ."filepart", as our system will not process these files (and you will see the error "Cannot create remote file 'uploads/filename.csv.filepart.' Permission denied.", or something similar). To disable the feature in WinSCP that might be giving your files a ."filepart" extension, see these instructions.

Tip

Next Steps

For offline (PII-based) data, if this is the first file you're uploading to this audience, create a support case so the support team can make sure everything ingests correctly. See 'Considerations When Uploading the First File to an Audience" for more information.

Within about 20 minutes after uploading, you can check the ingestion status of your uploaded files on the Files page, either by clicking the "GO TO FILES PAGE" link or by clicking Files in the Connect navigation menu. For more information on the ingestion process for Activation workflow files, see "Overview of the File Ingestion Process for Activation Workflow Files".

Once your data has been ingested (usually within 1-3 days), you can manage it in Connect and distribute it to your desired destinations.

Upload with an SFTP Client

Follow the steps below to upload a file via LiveRamp's SFTP with an SFTP client.

  1. Make sure that the file is formatted correctly and not password-protected.

  2. If using a firewall, enable outgoing port 8442 or 22, and make sure to allowlist the LiveRamp SFTP IP address (35.202.130.160).

  3. Sign in to your SFTP client.

    Tip

    LiveRamp recommends Cyberduck, a free client that works on Mac and PC.

  4. In the "Host" field, enter "files.liveramp.com".

  5. Enter the username and password given to you by your LiveRamp representative.

    Note

    Contact your LiveRamp representative (or your reseller representative, if appropriate) for SFTP credentials if you haven't been given them yet, or if you need to have your password reset.

  6. If you have more than one audience, and if you haven’t yet created a subdirectory for the audience you’re uploading the file to, create a new subdirectory within “/uploads” with the exact audience name as it exists in Connect (replacing any spaces with underscores). For example, if you have an audience named "Dog Lovers", create the subdirectory "/uploads/dog_lovers/."

  7. Upload the file to the “/uploads” directory, or to the subdirectory for the audience you’re uploading the file to (if you have more than one audience).

    Tip

    If you run into problems with the transfer, see Troubleshoot LiveRamp SFTP File Uploads.

Tip

Need a walkthrough? See the section below for a walkthrough to guide you through the SFTP file upload process via Cyberduck.

If the file does not appear in Connect within 3 days, contact your LiveRamp representative to confirm that the file uploaded correctly.

Cyberduck Upload Walkthrough

Follow these steps to upload files via LiveRamp's SFTP with Cyberduck:

  1. Download the Cyberduck client.

  2. Open Cyberduck.

  3. Click Open Connection.

    Cyberduck_S3_open_connection_button.jpg
  4. Click into the connection type drop-down list and select “SFTP (SSH File Transfer Protocol)."

    Cyberduck SFTP dropdown.jpg
  5. Enter the following information:

    • Server: files.liveramp.com

    • Port: 8442 or 22

    • Username: Your SFTP username (given to you by your LiveRamp representative)

    • Password: Your SFTP password (given to you by your LiveRamp representative)

    Cyberduck Fields.jpg
  6. If you want Cyberduck to remember your credentials next time, check the "Add to Keychain" check box.

    Cyberduck Add to keychain.jpg
  7. Click Connect.

    Cyberduck Connect button.jpg
  8. If the Unknown fingerprint dialog appears, check the Always check box and then click Allow.

    Cyberduck Unknown fingerprint popup.jpg
  9. Once the connection has been made, doubleclick the "uploads" folder.

    Cyberduck Upload selection.jpg
  10. Upload your files using one of the methods listed below:

    • Drag and drop the files from your computer into the Cyberduck window.

    • From the File tab, select "Upload" and then select the desired file(s).

    Cyberduck Upload selection 2.jpg
    • Click the "Action" button, select "Upload", and then select the desired file(s).

    Cyberduck Action button.jpg
  11. When you're finished uploading, click the "Disconnect" button.

    Cyberduck Disconnect button.jpg

Upload Files from the Command Line

  1. From the command line, confirm the location and file name for the file you want to upload. For example, you might perform these steps:

    1. Enter "ls" to list all folders.

      Command Line list folders 1.jpg
    2. Change the directory to the desired folder (in this example, enter "cd Desktop").

      Command Line cd to Desktop 1.jpg
    3. Enter "ls" to list the files in the current folder.

      Command Line list files 1.jpg
    4. Locate the desired file.

      Command Line located file.jpg
  2. Enter "sftp -oPort=8442 [username]@files.liveramp.com" (where "[username]" is the username given to you as part of your LiveRamp SFTP credentials).

    Command Line enter password.jpg
  3. Enter your password (the password characters might not display).

    Command Line enter password.jpg

    If the connection is successful, the message below displays:

    Command Line successful connection.jpg
  4. Navigate to the appropriate folder on the SFTP server (this is usually the "uploads" folder, as shown in this example):

    1. Enter "ls" to list all folders.

      Command Line list files 2.jpg
    2. Change the directory to the desired folder (in this example, enter "cd uploads").

      Command Line cd to uploads.jpg

      Note

      To create a new subdirectory, use the "mkdir" command.

  5. Enter "put [file name]" to upload the file.

    Command Line put file.jpg
  6. Enter "exit" to close the connection.

    Command Line exit.jpg

Troubleshoot LiveRamp SFTP File Uploads

See the sections below for help when uploading files via LiveRamp's SFTP.

IP Address Issues

If you haven't allowlisted the correct LiveRamp SFTP IP address, you'll receive a "connection refused" error message. Make sure that "35.202.130.160" has been allowlisted.

Domain Name Issues

If you try to upload to the wrong domain name, you'll receive an error message similar to the one below:

“ssh: Could not resolve hostname sftp.liveramp.com: nodename nor servname provided, or not known”

Make sure you're using "files.liveramp.com" as your domain name.

General Issues

If a SFTP file upload fails and you don't get one of the error messages listed above, check the following:

  • You are using SFTP (not FTP).

  • Your username and password are spelled correctly.

  • You are using port 8442 and this port is not blocked by your IT department. You can check that port 8442 isn't blocked by using this link: http://portquiz.net:8442/. If the port is unblocked, a page will load, saying, "Your network allows you to use this port."

  • You are uploading to the "/uploads" folder.

  • You are not trying to modify any files that are already on the SFTP server, and your SFTP client is not implicitly making any changes (LiveRamp does not support rename, delete, or modify operations).

If the upload fails partway through on multiple attempts and none of the above steps resolves the problem, contact your LiveRamp representative.