When your Student Information System (SIS) does not offer a pre-built direct API connector, SFTP (Secure File Transfer Protocol) provides a flexible, universal, and automated alternative. With SFTP data delivery, your SIS or data warehouse exports standard roster files (such as OneRoster 1.1 or Edlio CSV templates) on a scheduled recurring basis to a secure Edlio SFTP directory.
Video chapters & timestamps
0:00 - Introduction to SFTP setup: Connecting your SIS data when a direct API connector is not available, using OneRoster or CSV file formats delivered via SFTP.
0:25 - Opening New Integration & selecting SFTP: Click Connect your first integration or New Integration; select the SFTP option on the right side.
0:45 - Choosing a file format (OneRoster vs. CSV templates): Overview of supported file standards. OneRoster 1.1 is highly recommended as the universal education data standard. Edlio standard CSV templates and custom SIS CSV exports are also supported.
1:45 - Selecting data entities & fields: Review required and optional fields for Students, Administrators, Teachers, and Non-Teaching Staff, as well as Parents/Guardians. Classes and enrollments are configured separately.
2:30 - Single-file vs. multi-file delivery methods: Choose whether your SIS exports all schools together in a single file with a school identifier column, or splits data into separate files per school.
3:15 - School matching & code entry: Associate each Edlio school site (and district site) with the corresponding campus code or abbreviation used in your SIS data (e.g. CRUSD, ADS, PES, CRMS, CRHS). Press Enter after typing each code to lock it in.
4:20 - Establishing your SFTP connection (SSH key vs. Password): Two authentication methods: upload an SSH public key provided by your SIS vendor, or click Create Password to generate an Edlio SFTP username and copy a secure password.
5:30 - Review & finish setup: Verify your format (OneRoster 1.1), synced entities, and username. Click Finish Setup to activate the connection and await your first sync.
5:55 - Automated nightly schedule: SFTP files are ingested automatically overnight on a recurring schedule.
6:15 - Management controls: Use Pause to temporarily halt ingestion without losing settings; edit connection details, regenerate passwords via the three-dot menu, or safely disconnect if changing SIS providers.
Key takeaways from this video
Universal compatibility: SFTP supports virtually any SIS provider (Infinite Campus, Skyward SMS 2.0, Aspen, FACTS, Synergy, etc.) capable of scheduled CSV or OneRoster exports.
OneRoster 1.1 recommended: OneRoster 1.1 provides the cleanest and most standardized schema for exchanging K-12 roster data across schools, classes, and family contacts.
Single or split file flexibility: Data Setup accommodates both consolidated CSV files (with a school ID column) and distinct files per school campus.
Self-serve SFTP credential generation: You can generate a dedicated Edlio SFTP username and password instantly in the setup wizard, or upload your SIS provider's SSH public key.
Locking school codes: When entering school codes during Step 3, make sure to press Enter after typing each code to ensure it registers properly in the matching table.
Nightly recurring ingestion: Edlio ingests files dropped into your SFTP folder overnight once every night based on your district's time zone.
Step-by-step SFTP connection walkthrough
To configure automated SFTP data delivery in the Edlio App dashboard:
Navigate to Data Setup in the main sidebar and click New Integration (or Connect your first integration).
Select File & Standards-Based Import (SFTP) in the right-hand column.
Choose your file format standard: OneRoster 1.1 (recommended), Edlio CSV Templates, or Custom CSV.
Select the data entities and fields to sync (Students, Staff, Parents/Guardians).
Select your file delivery structure (single file with school identifier column or separate files per school), and enter your SIS school codes in the matching table (pressing Enter after each code).
Configure authentication: click Create Password to generate an SFTP username and password, or paste your public SSH key.
Review your configuration on the final step and click Finish Setup. Enter these SFTP connection credentials into your SIS export scheduler.
đĄ Best-Practice Adoption Tip: When configuring automated exports in your SIS scheduler, set the export to trigger 1 to 2 hours before Edlio's nightly processing window (typically 12:15 AM local time). Consistent export timing ensures all file transfers complete before ingestion begins, preventing partial sync warnings.
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