An external connection stores the settings MailPro uses to access files at an external location. You can select a saved connection in features such as the Contact-import scheduler and Advanced Export.
Creating a connection does not start an import or export. Configure that separately in the feature that will use the connection.
Before you start
Ask the administrator of the external location for the connection type, location, authentication details and access permissions.
If you need an SFTP account, Spotler can provide one as an additional paid service. Contact your account manager for the available options.
Supported connection types
HTTPS
HTTPS accesses files through an encrypted web connection.
Enter the hostname and the path to the location containing your files. For example, for https://files.example.com/imports/contacts.csv, use files.example.com as the hostname, /imports/ as the path, and contacts.csv as the filename in the import schedule.
If the location requires a username and password, enter the credentials supplied by its administrator. Leave these fields empty if authentication is not required.
Example: a web location protected with a username such as mailpro-import and its password.
SFTP
SFTP transfers files securely over SSH. Enter the server hostname, username and path supplied by the server administrator.
Choose the authentication type that matches the account:
- username + password: enter the account's username and password.
- username + private key: enter the username and private key. The corresponding public key must be configured on the SFTP server.
- username + private key + passphrase: enter the username, private key and the passphrase protecting that private key.
A passphrase unlocks a private key; it is different from the SFTP account password.
Example: use sftp.example.com as the hostname, mailpro-import as the username and /imports/ as the path, together with the authentication details supplied by the administrator.
S3
S3 stores files as objects in a bucket. MailPro supports Amazon AWS and Other S3 compatible storage.
- For Amazon AWS, enter the region, bucket, Key and Secret.
- For Other S3 compatible, enter the endpoint, bucket, Key and Secret supplied by the storage provider.
Key is the access key ID. Secret is the corresponding secret access key.
Example: an Amazon AWS bucket named example-contact-imports, in region eu-west-1, with the access key and secret supplied by its administrator.
All example locations and account names in this article are illustrative. Replace them with your own details.
Create a connection
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Go to Setup → External connection → Insert.
- Enter a unique, recognisable name.
- Select HTTPS, SFTP or S3.
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Enter the location and authentication details for the selected type.
- Enter the path containing the files you want to use.
- If needed, configure an archive path or result path. The archive path is used for archiving with SFTP; the result path specifies where result files are uploaded by features that support this.
- Save the connection and choose Test connection.
Test the connection
Review the results for connecting, reading and writing, and any available results for archiving and deleting. The available operations depend on the connection type and the permissions at the external location.
The test can write a temporary file, read it back and, where supported, archive and delete it. Use a location where these test operations are permitted.
If a test fails, check:
- The hostname or endpoint, bucket and path.
- The authentication details and selected authentication type.
- The account's permissions for the operation that failed.
You can test a saved connection again after changing its settings.
Use the connection
To import contacts automatically, create an import schedule.