Rostering FastBridge via Automated Batch Import (ABI) through SFTP

Overview

FastBridge’s Automated Batch Import process utilizes RSA Key Exchange method for authentication. Before setting up the connection, verify your SIS supports Key Exchange authentication. FastBridge can generate and provide the key pair and SFTP access info.

If your SIS does not support RSA Key Exchange, you may be able to use a third-party FTP application (such as WinSCP or FileZilla) instead.

Once SIS verifies RSA Key Exchange is supported, build a FastBridge roster template in your SIS. The format of the roster template should follow the format of the sample student roster template and the Creating First FastBridge Roster document outlines specifications of each field.

While the StudentStateID field is "optional", Column H still does need to be named StudentStateID, even if it is otherwise empty. Your SIS’s support team should be able to help with any questions you have for creating this template.

Setup

1. Verify SIS supports RSA Key Exchange.
2. Build roster template within SIS.
   • Follow format of sample student roster template.
   • Roster field specifications can be found in following document Creating First FastBridge Roster
   • Avoid spaces in file name
   • File format must CSV
   • File must be UTF-8 encoded
3. Generate RSA Key Pair (FastBridge can do this). The key pair must be a 2048-bit RSA Key.

4. Go to Manage.
5. Select SFTP Configuration. 
6. Insert the SSH key into the provided space. 
7. Select Submit. 
8. Script SIS to export roster file to FastBridge Host.
   • User Name: Found in SFTP Configuration page (see above screenshot), in the form of district_########
   • Host: server.sftp2.fastbridge.org
   • Port: 22
   • FastBridge recommends scheduling roster files to send between 7 & 8 PM central, to ensure the file is in the repository before FastBridge’s nightly sweep of files.
9. Push file to host, inform FastBridge a file has been sent. FastBridge will validate formatting.

10. After FastBridge validates formatting, enable SIS Sync within FastBridge (Master Account Administrator or District Manager Users Only). This will allow nightly/regularly scheduled exports to import into FastBridge. Go to District Preferences. 
11. Select District Properties. 
12. Set SIS Sync Enabled to YES. 
13. Select Save & Submit.