LinuxQuestions.org - How to transfer files remotely

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How to transfer files remotely

Hi all
I am new to Unix
I want to copy files from a remote location (which is a Unix based machine) to my Window or my Mac.
What should I do?

I can ssh without a problem but that about it for me.
What are the next steps?

Thanks

PS: Also, how can I copy files from my machine to the remote location?

Since you have ssh working, use the scp command to transfer files. Scp stands for secure copy. On a linux system there are man pages that describe its use. No idea what help you can find on windoze or a mac.

There are many other choices as well. Each depends on the system you are connecting to. You can ftp files if there is a ftp server running, and you are allowed to by system user, password etc. Same thing for nfs, or even windows file sharing. Each requires a server running, a user ID and password. Each has its own benefits, and security risks. You need to contact the sys admins to know what you can, or can not do.

Quote:

Originally Posted by AlexMichael (Post 5068903)

in addition to what has been mentioned for your MS Windows computer, download and install Filezilla. This is a GUI front end for a scp transfer between MS and *nix. That will make your life much simpler then having to deal with the command line. its click and drag as if the files were local on your MS computer.

As for the OSx box, there are a few GUI front ends that allow for scp file transfers like Filezilla, but as Im already comfortable with the command line (CLI) i just use the terminal and either scp or rsync the files around.

some examples

Code:

from server A (your local computer) to server B (remote computer) 

$ scp /path/to/local/file r_user@r_IP:/path/to/put/file/on/remote/server



from server B to server A



$ scp r_user@R_IP:/path/of/file/to/copy /path/to/store/file



rsync from server A to server B



$ rsync -aviS /path/to/local/file r_user@r_IP:/path/to/put/file/on/remote/server



rsync from server B to server A



rsync -aviS r_user@R_IP:/path/of/file/to/copy /path/to/store/file

as you can see the pattern for both scp and rsync. its command, options, source, destination. Also if you read the links in my signature you can setup ssh keys for your OSx box so you can push/pull files without the use of a password, thus things can be scripted. There is a way of doing this in the MS world, but sadly I have no clue how.

Quote:

Originally Posted by AlexMichael (Post 5068903)

scp works on top of the ssh protocol. you would need a windows scp client (i've used winscp in the past).

Please go easy with me. Break it down to me. I am a new kid in the blog. Some of your vocabularies are too professional for me.

Assume that you are explaining it to a newcomer.

Thank you/

Hi,

Welcome to LQ!

LQ is not a blog but a moderated forum.

As for a MS Windows secure copy from UNIX/Linux machine you can download & install WinSCP on your MS Windows machine. Simple setup & use.

Hope this helps.

You could always setup an ftp server on the remote machine. Windows has a built in ftp command that you can run from an msdos prompt. Netcat and other options depending on the computer in question. Various cloud services to host files for you to bridge the gap while only needing a web browser on both ends. It really depends on where and what. A lot of work places block ports for things like ftp, ssh, and other not part of your job services. But there's still dozens of ways to manage depending on your limitations.

Quote:

Originally Posted by AlexMichael (Post 5069230)

Please go easy with me. Break it down to me. I am a new kid in the blog. Some of your vocabularies are too professional for me.

Assume that you are explaining it to a newcomer.

Thank you/

please re-read my post and use quotes to ask specific questions that were not clear in your mind. ill be happy to get into more detail when you tell me what is not so.

In your position I agree that the (GUI) Filezilla tool downloadable (free) from here https://filezilla-project.org/download.php?show_all=1 would be a good idea.

I like this version of WinSCP. It's portable, so you can use it on a flash drive. BUT it leaves a file in the %APPDATA% folder on the machine, so I would recommend not saving any passwords or IP addresses with it. I just have a text document with my IP and port number saved next to it on the flash drive, and I know my username and password

This is a link directly to the download page, so it will ask to download a few seconds after you click on this.