Connect Sola / Cardknox step by step
Sola (Cardknox) is a full connection: cards, bank (ACH) and OJC, Donors' Fund and Pledger charity cards all go through it. You need two keys from your Sola account.
Before you start
- You are the Owner of the Yahiv account.
- You have an active Sola / Cardknox merchant account.
- Two keys from Sola: the Transaction key (also called xKey or API key) and the iFields key. They are in the Sola merchant portal, usually under Settings → Keys (the exact menu can change — your Sola rep can give you both keys).
- 1
Get your keys from Sola
Sign in to your Sola / Cardknox merchant portal. Find the keys page (usually Settings → Keys). Copy the "Transaction key" (xKey) and the "iFields key". If you can't find them, call or email your Sola rep and ask: "Please send me my xKey and iFields key for a software integration."
- 2
Open Payment processors in Yahiv
Settings → "Payment processors". Scroll to "Connect a processor" → "Any other processor".
Connect a processor is at the bottom of the page. - 3
Name it and choose Cardknox / Sola
In "Name for this connection" type something you'll recognize, e.g. Sola – main account. In "Processor" choose "Cardknox / Sola". The grey line says "Full integration — Also processes OJC, The Donors' Fund and Pledger charity cards".
Choose Cardknox / Sola. - 4
Paste the Transaction key
Paste the xKey into "Transaction key (xKey)". It shows as dots — that is normal.
The Transaction key (xKey) box. - 5
Paste the iFields key
Paste the iFields key into "iFields key". Leave "iFields version (optional)" empty unless Sola told you a version number.
The iFields key box — this one is needed for the secure card boxes. - 6
Press Connect
Press "Connect". You see "Cardknox / Sola saved". Refresh the page — the connection appears at the top as "active".
- 7
Make it the default
Press "Make default" on the Sola connection, then "Disable" on "Test mode (no real charges)".
- 8
Test with a real $1 gift
Record → Gift → pick yourself → $1 → Credit card. You see "$1 goes through Sola – main account". Type your own card and press "Charge card". Then refund it from the gift page (Refund / void → Refund).
Tips
- Sola also charges OJC, The Donors' Fund and Pledger charity cards. On the gift form choose "OJC / Matbia / charity card" → "Process charity card now".
- Sola can refresh expired cards automatically through the card networks' updater service. Ask your Sola rep to turn on "account updater" — fewer recurring gifts will stop.
- Keep the keys private. Anyone with the xKey can charge cards on your account. Yahiv stores it encrypted and never shows it again.
If something isn't working
"Transaction key (xKey) is required".
The xKey box was empty. Paste the key and press Connect again.
The card boxes on the gift form or giving page stay empty or grey.
The iFields key is missing or wrong. Open "Edit credentials" on the Sola connection, paste the iFields key again and press Save.
Every charge is declined with a message about the key or account.
The xKey may belong to a test (sandbox) account or an old account. Ask your Sola rep for the live xKey and paste it under "Edit credentials" (leave the box empty to keep the old one).