.netrc

kniwor · 11-30-2006, 08:45 PM

I created a .netrc file in following manner. and placed it in /home/<user>

machine <machine_name> login <username> password <password>

now when i run ftp command with this machine name, it does not login automatically, whereas it should.

ftp <machine_name>

asks for username and password.

Tinkster · 12-01-2006, 12:22 AM

Hmmm ... works here. Does the machine name match the
actual hostname?

Cheers,
Tink

timufea · 12-01-2006, 02:30 AM

Most FTP clients require that .netrc should be readable only by the owner. So try:

chmod 600 .netrc

kniwor · 12-01-2006, 04:38 AM

great, it works now, the mode was the problem.

Jaxån · 12-01-2006, 10:40 PM

I know that this is not what you asked about, but.

If possible, do not use FTP, use SCP (file copy with SHH-protocol). FTP transfers your login and password in clear text, for anyone to read that can with etherial or other tools. SCP (and SSH) crypt all your trafic, inluding user name and passwords.
And never store passwords in text files...

Yours

packeteer · 12-04-2006, 06:02 PM

it's easy to setup password less logins for ssh based file transfer (scp/sftp).
Create the keys: ssh-keygen -t rsa
Copy key to destination: scp .ssh/id_rsa.pub user@othermachine:
ssh to remote machine and add pub key to keys file: cat id_rsa.pub .ssh/authorized_keys
for further info, google up 'ssh keys'

And if you transfer large files and find the encryption slows you down, just turn it off with the following switch: -o Cipher=none