How to Access and Manage Server Files

This guide covers everything you need to know about accessing and managing files on your server, including the built-in file manager and SFTP for larger transfers.

Using the Built-in File Manager

The Game Panel includes a web-based file manager that allows you to manage your server files directly from your browser.

Accessing the File Manager

1. Log in to the Game Panel
2. Select your server
3. In the left menu, click Core
4. Select Files

Basic Operations

Navigating:

• Click folder names to open them
• Use the path shown at the top of the file browser to navigate back (e.g., /home/container/plugins - click any folder name in the path to jump to that location). This is known as a breadcrumb trail.
• Click the home icon to return to the root directory

Uploading Files:

1. Navigate to the destination folder
2. Click the Upload button at the top of the file browser
3. Select files from your device, or drag and drop files directly into the browser

Creating Files and Folders:

1. Click the Create button at the top
2. Select New File or New Folder
3. Enter a name and save

Editing Files:

1. Click on a file to open it in the built-in editor
2. Make your changes
3. Click Save or press Ctrl + S (Windows/Linux) or ⌘ + S (Mac)

Renaming:

1. Click the three dots next to the file or folder
2. Select Rename
3. Enter the new name and confirm

Deleting:

1. Click the three dots next to the file or folder
2. Select Delete
3. Confirm the deletion

Moving Files:

1. Click the three dots next to the file or folder
2. Select Move
3. Enter the destination path

Extracting Archives:

1. Upload your ZIP file
2. Click the three dots next to the ZIP file
3. Select Unarchive
4. The contents will extract to the current directory

Creating Archives:

1. Select multiple files using the checkboxes
2. Click Archive in the toolbar
3. Enter a name for the archive

Downloading Files:

1. Click the three dots next to the file
2. Select Download

File Manager Limitations

The built-in file manager works well for most tasks, but has some limitations:

• Maximum of 250 files displayed per directory
• Large file uploads may time out on slower connections
• Bulk uploads can be slow compared to SFTP
• No resume capability if an upload fails

When to Use SFTP

SFTP (Secure File Transfer Protocol) is recommended when:

• Uploading large files (over 100MB)
• Transferring many files at once
• Moving entire world folders or backups
• You need resume capability for interrupted transfers
• You prefer a desktop application for file management

Finding Your SFTP Credentials

Your SFTP connection details are found in the Game Panel:

1. Log in to the Game Panel
2. Select your server
3. In the left menu, click Settings
4. Select Settings
5. Your SFTP details are shown at the top of the page:
   • Server Address - The SFTP host and port
   • Username - Your SFTP username (includes your panel username and server ID)

Password: Your SFTP password is the same as your Billing Account password (the one you use to log in to the Game Panel and Billing System).

Recommended SFTP Clients

FileZilla (Windows, macOS, Linux)

FileZilla is a free, open-source FTP client that works on all major operating systems.

• Download: filezilla-project.org
• Best for: General use, beginners

WinSCP (Windows)

WinSCP is a popular Windows-only SFTP client with additional features like scripting and synchronisation.

• Download: winscp.net
• Best for: Windows users, advanced features

Connecting with FileZilla

Step 1: Install FileZilla

Download and install FileZilla from filezilla-project.org.

Step 2: Open Site Manager

1. Open FileZilla
2. Click File > Site Manager (or press Ctrl + S)
3. Click New Site and give it a name (e.g., "Obsidian Server")

Step 3: Enter Connection Details

In the Site Manager, enter the following:

Field	Value
Protocol	SFTP - SSH File Transfer Protocol
Host	The address from your panel (without the port)
Port	The port number from your panel (usually after the colon)
Logon Type	Normal
User	Your SFTP username from the panel
Password	Your Billing Account password

Step 4: Connect

1. Click Connect
2. If prompted about an unknown host key, click OK to trust the server
3. You should now see your server files in the right panel

Navigating FileZilla

• Left panel: Your local computer files
• Right panel: Your server files
• Top section: Quick connect bar and transfer queue
• Bottom section: Transfer log and status

Connecting with WinSCP

Step 1: Install WinSCP

Download and install WinSCP from winscp.net.

Step 2: Create a New Session

1. Open WinSCP
2. The Login window should appear automatically
3. Click New Site

Step 3: Enter Connection Details

Field	Value
File protocol	SFTP
Host name	The address from your panel (without the port)
Port number	The port number from your panel
User name	Your SFTP username from the panel
Password	Your Billing Account password

Step 4: Connect

1. Click Save to save the session for future use (optional)
2. Click Login
3. If prompted about the server's host key, click Yes to continue
4. You should now see your server files

Common File Operations via SFTP

Uploading Files

FileZilla:

1. Navigate to the destination folder on the server (right panel)
2. Navigate to the source folder on your computer (left panel)
3. Drag files from left to right, or right-click and select Upload

WinSCP:

1. Navigate to the destination on the server (right panel)
2. Navigate to the source on your computer (left panel)
3. Drag files across, or press F5 to copy

Downloading Files

FileZilla:

1. Navigate to the file on the server (right panel)
2. Choose a destination on your computer (left panel)
3. Drag files from right to left, or right-click and select Download

WinSCP:

1. Select files on the server (right panel)
2. Drag to your computer (left panel), or press F5 to copy

Editing Files

FileZilla:

1. Right-click the file on the server
2. Select View/Edit
3. The file opens in your default text editor
4. Save the file and FileZilla will prompt you to upload the changes

WinSCP:

1. Right-click the file on the server
2. Select Edit
3. Make changes in the built-in editor
4. Save and the file uploads automatically

Troubleshooting

Connection Refused

Possible causes:

• Incorrect host address or port
• Server is offline or restarting
• Firewall blocking the connection

Solutions:

1. Double-check the SFTP address and port in the Game Panel
2. Ensure your server is online
3. Try again in a few minutes
4. Check if your network or firewall is blocking outgoing SFTP connections

Wrong Credentials / Authentication Failed

Possible causes:

• Incorrect username
• Wrong password
• Caps lock enabled

Solutions:

1. Copy the SFTP username directly from the Game Panel settings page
2. Ensure you are using your Billing Account password (the same one you use to log in to the Game Panel)
3. Check caps lock is off
4. Try resetting your Billing Account password if you are unsure

Connection Timeout

Possible causes:

• Network issues
• Server under heavy load
• Incorrect port number

Solutions:

1. Check your internet connection
2. Verify the port number is correct
3. Try connecting again after a few minutes
4. Try using a different network if possible

Transfer Stalls or Fails

Possible causes:

• Unstable internet connection
• File too large
• Server disk full

Solutions:

1. Check your internet stability
2. For large files, try transferring during off-peak hours
3. Check your server's disk usage in the Game Panel
4. Enable transfer resume in your SFTP client settings

Permission Denied

Possible causes:

• Trying to access files outside your server directory
• File is locked by the server process

Solutions:

1. Ensure you are working within your server's file directory
2. Stop the server before modifying files that may be in use (e.g., world files)

Tips for File Management

• Stop your server before uploading or modifying world files, plugin configs, or other files the server actively uses
• Create backups before making major changes to important files
• Use the web file manager for quick edits and small uploads
• Use SFTP for large transfers, world uploads, or bulk file operations
• Check file permissions if you experience issues after uploading files

Need Help?

If you are having trouble with file management:

• Support Ticket
• Discord Server - use the /support command
• Email: [email protected]