public function connect()
	{
		//Attempt to connect to host
		$link = ssh2_connect($this->_config['host'], $this->_config['port']);
		
		//If host connection fails, throw exception
		if(!$link)
		{
			throw new \Exception('Unable to connect to '.$host.' on port '.$port);
		}
		else
		{
			//Assign the connection link to the class property
			$this->_conn_link = $link;
			
			//If host fingerprint is not NULL, attempt to verify fingerprint
			if(!is_null($this->_config['host_fingerprint'])) 
			{
				$verify = $this->verify_host_fingerprint();
				
				//If the fingerprint is not verified, throw exception
				if(!$verify)
				{
					throw new \Exception('Unable to verify host fingerprint');
				}
			}
		}
		
		//Attempt to login user
		if($this->_config['authentication_method'] == 'KEY')
		{
			$this->_connected = $this->login_key();
		}
		else
		{
			$this->_connected = $this->login_password();
		}

		$this->_connected && $this->_sftp = ssh2_sftp($link);
	}