File Transfers

Introduction

We recommend using scp (secure copy) or sftp (secure file transfer) for file transfers.
S* commands will authenticate your connection to a remote host and will encrypt all files transferred to protect them.
rcp, rsync, ftp, etc will transmit passwords & files in plaintext unless explicitly instructed to use ssh for transfers.

All file transfer programs will be initiated from your destination machine/desktop. The transfer program will establish a connection to a remote unix host where you will be prompted for your CS login and password. Upon successful login a connection/conduit will be established between the two machines and all files requested will be transfered.

Unix to Unix copy

Use the scp (secure copy) command

• scp [-r] ${login}@${source_host}:${directory-or-file} ${login}@${destination_host}:${directory-or-file}
• Copy foobar.gif from the local directory to $HOME/downloads
  • scp foobar.gif labstaff@linux.cs.rpi.edu:downloads
• Recursively copy files from directory foo to /tmp/blah on host linux.cs.rpi.edu
  • scp -r foo labstaff@linux.cs.rpi.edu:/tmp/blah
• Copy a file from a remote host into pwd
  • scp ${login}@foobar.org:path/to/my/file.gif .

File transfers involving a windows machine

cygwin Cygwin is a native UNIX environment under Windows

• If you are using the unix subsystem for windows the scp command can be used.
• If the scp command cannot be found re-run the cygwin install find the scp command in the package list and request to have it installed.

PuTTY: A Free Telnet/SSH Client

• If the PuTTY package is installed the pscp.exe command bundled with the distribution can be used for command line scp transfers.
• putty/scp.exe foo.data ${login}@linux.cs.rpi.edu:downloads

WinSCP

• Standalone windows secure copy program with graphic interface

Cross platform small file transfers

• https://mywebfiles.rpi.edu/orgs/MyWebFiles_Documentation/

-- StevenLindsey - 2011-10-04