Delete file fom SFTP using Download tool connected via DCM with ssh keys

Hi all

I have been struggling to find a solution to delete a file from SFTP using the download tool connected using private ssh key on DCM.

I can download without a problem to a string/blob/filename but when i use the DELETE payload function the workflow runs without error but nothing happens and the file is not deleted.

Is this possible to accomplish? i'm using v2025.2

Download

Accepted answers

TheOC

hey @NatSnook
Absolutely!

I whipped up a local SFTP Server using REBEX to test this for you.
I'll keep that configured as is for now, so let me know if you have any other queries or need anything else testing.

However, I was able to delete the file via following python configuration:

This uses a library called paramiko to authenticate. I used a ed25519 key but this should work the same if you've got an RSA key - i added this as a fallback.

The workflow itself just creates a file, and then uploads it (via PUT) to my local server via download tool. The download tool is just using username/password because I'm lazy - but the Python deletion is using the private / public key auth.

Both SFTP requests worked fine on my side, and the deletion worked without issue:

I've attached the workflow. You wont necessarily be able to run it directly on your machine but at least you can see configuration/repoint.

I hope this is viable as a solution for you but please let me know if not and I can have another look into it for you.

Delete from SFTP.yxzp

All comments

OllieClarke

Hi @NatSnook
Do you get any information in the download headers/download data from the output of the tool?

NatSnook

Hi @OllieClarke thanks for reply.

nothing in Headers at all, and in downloadData it outputs the string of the file i'm attempting to delete. here are screenshots of the config in the download file and what i see in results.

TheOC

hey @NatSnook
I found an older thread about this issue:
https://community.alteryx.com/t5/Alteryx-Designer-Desktop-Discussions/Delete-file-from-SFTP/td-p/58285/page/3

It looks like @mceleavey discovered that deletion through SFTP was not possible through the download tool unfortunately:

I have previously been able to do this with both Python and .bat files. Please let me know if you're interested in either of these routes and I'll happily have a look into them for you - however it does not seem you will be able to carry this out via Download Tool.

NatSnook

Thanks @TheOC I did see that but hoped that as it was a few years old this might have changed

I'd be interested to see what the python solution looks like if you don't mind sharing.

txs

TheOC

However, I was able to delete the file via following python configuration:

This uses a library called paramiko to authenticate. I used a ed25519 key but this should work the same if you've got an RSA key - i added this as a fallback.

Both SFTP requests worked fine on my side, and the deletion worked without issue:

Delete from SFTP.yxzp

NatSnook

Legendary thanks so much @TheOC that works nicely.

TheOC

No worries at all @NatSnook.
Give me a shout if you need anything else 😊

Quick Links

This months top contributors

atcodedog05 19458

Qiu 15866

binu_acs 15708

MarqueeCrew 13708

apathetichell 13703