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Asked: 2024-09-24T05:29:24+05:30 In:

How can I transfer files using the terminal in Ubuntu?

I’ve been trying to get a handle on transferring files using the terminal in Ubuntu, and honestly, it’s a bit of a puzzle for me. I’ve used drag and drop for so long that jumping into the terminal feels like I’m diving into the deep end without a life jacket.

I’ve heard snippets about using commands like `scp`, `rsync`, and even `sftp`, but the whole thing is still a bit murky. The other day, I needed to transfer a large batch of photos to my friend who’s always raving about the terminal being the best way to do everything. But I couldn’t find a straightforward way to do it. I tried `scp` since it seemed pretty popular, but I ended up stuck with a bunch of error messages that didn’t make any sense to me.

And then, there’s the whole issue of permissions. I think I got it right when I set up SSH keys to avoid entering my password every time, but then I ended up running into issues with file permissions when I actually tried to move stuff over to my friend’s machine. Do I need to set something on their machine to accept the files, or is it all on my end?

It would be super helpful to get some guidance on what commands to use for different types of file transfers. Like, how would I go about transferring a directory of music files versus just a single document? I’d also love to know if there’s a way to see the transfer progress because sitting there staring at a blinking cursor feels so unproductive.

Lastly, if someone could explain how to make this work if my friend’s using a Windows machine, that’d be awesome, too! I want to make sure that I can help her out without having to troubleshoot for hours. Seriously, any tips or step-by-step guides would be greatly appreciated! I feel like once I get the hang of this, I’ll never want to go back to the GUI world.

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    1. File Transfer Tips in Ubuntu

      Transferring Files in Ubuntu using the Terminal

      I totally get how overwhelming it might feel jumping from drag-and-drop to terminal commands. Let’s break down the basics of file transfers using some common commands like scp, rsync, and sftp.

      1. Using scp (Secure Copy Protocol)

      scp is straightforward for copying files between hosts over SSH. Here’s how you can use it:

      scp /path/to/local/file username@remote_host:/path/to/remote/directory

      Replace /path/to/local/file with the path of the file you want to send, and username@remote_host with your friend’s username and their machine’s IP address or hostname.

      If you’re transferring an entire directory, just add the -r option:

      scp -r /path/to/local/directory username@remote_host:/path/to/remote/directory

      2. Using rsync

      rsync is awesome for transferring files and can resume interrupted transfers. Here’s a basic command:

      rsync -avh /path/to/local/directory username@remote_host:/path/to/remote/directory

      The flags -a for archive mode (preserves permissions and timestamps), -v for verbose (shows the details of the transfer), and -h for human-readable numbers.

      3. Using sftp (SSH File Transfer Protocol)

      sftp opens an interactive session for transferring files. Start by connecting:

      sftp username@remote_host

      Then, you can use commands like put to upload files and get to download them:

      put /path/to/local/file
      get remote_file

      To transfer a directory, again use put -r!

      4. Permissions and SSH Keys

      If you’re running into permission issues, make sure your friend’s SSH server allows incoming connections (they might need to check the firewall settings). As for the files, ensure your user has the right permissions on the directories you’re trying to access.

      Setting up SSH keys is a great way to connect without a password each time, but ensure both yours and your friend’s SSH keys are properly configured.

      5. Progress of File Transfers

      With rsync, you automatically get progress details, but for scp, you can add the -v option for verbose output.

      6. Transferring Files to a Windows Machine

      If your friend is on Windows, they might need an SSH server running like OpenSSH. The commands remain the same, just make sure the Windows firewall allows SSH connections. For transfers, using WinSCP can also provide a GUI alternative if they prefer that!

      Summary

      In short, try these commands for different scenarios:

      • Single file: scp file.txt user@host:/path/
      • Directory: scp -r /mydir user@host:/path/
      • Using rsync: rsync -avh mydir/ user@host:/path/
      • In sftp: put file.txt

      Once you get the hang of these commands, you’ll find it’s way more efficient than dragging and dropping!



    2. Transferring files using the terminal in Ubuntu can be streamlined with the right command. For transferring a single file, `scp` (Secure Copy Protocol) works great. The command format is `scp /path/to/local/file username@remote_host:/path/to/remote/directory`. If you’re transferring large batches of files or directories, `rsync` is often preferred due to its efficiency and ability to resume interrupted transfers. Use `rsync -avh /path/to/local/directory username@remote_host:/path/to/remote/directory`, which maintains permissions and gives you a progress meter with the `-v` option. If your friend runs Windows, they can install an SSH server like OpenSSH or you can utilize a tool like WinSCP, which provides a GUI for file transfers while still allowing you to execute commands via SSH.

      Regarding permissions, ensuring that your friend’s machine is configured to allow SSH connections and that the directory you’re transferring files to has the correct permissions set is essential. You may need to adjust permissions using commands like `chmod` or `chown`, for example, `chmod 755 /path/to/directory`. If you’re using SSH keys, ensure that the corresponding public key is added to the `~/.ssh/authorized_keys` file on your friend’s machine. Monitor file transfer progress with the `-P` option in `scp` or `–progress` in `rsync`. As an added bonus, you might also find `sftp` (SSH File Transfer Protocol) useful, especially for interactive file transfers, using the command `sftp username@remote_host`, which provides a familiar interface for file manipulation similar to traditional file browsers.


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