Transferring Files

[ Author : Una Kehoe (keloe) : october 2003 ]

scp is a file transfer protocol which is just like ftp only it offers a more secure service. There are two ways of using scp, WinSCP which is a graphical user interface for Windows or the command line version. WinSCP is the easiest to explain so i'll do that one first :-) Downloading WinSCP

You can get it from the redbrick website. If you go to the main page and just click on the winSCP link on the top left-hand side of the page. Using WinSCP

When you first run WinSCP this is the screen you will be faced with: winscp image You fill in the host name as being login.redbrick.dcu.ie. Then all you have to fill in is your user name and password. It will ask you if you want to add the host to your cache - you just chose either yes or no. Selecting cancel will abort the connection. Transfering Files

Once you have logged in you will see a list of files on your computer on the left and a list of files on the server you have connected to on the right. To move files across, just click and drag the file from its source to where you want to move it to just like windows explorer. Then all you have to do is click "copy". Closing WinSCP

To close WinSCP all you have to do is click "File", "Close" or alternatively just click on the "x" at the top right. Ands that all there is to it. Command Line Scp

If you are using command line scp, there is different syntax if you want to move a file from your computer to another computer and if you want to get a file from another computer and put it on your own computer. From Your Computer To Another Computer

When you want to move a file from your current computer to another computer you need to follow the following syntax: scp fileOnComputer1 username@computer2:

For example: scp exampleFile keloe@login.redbrick.dcu.ie: When it tries to authenticate you will be asked if you wish to continue, just say yes. You will then be asked for your password on computer2. In this case you would be asked for the password for your login to redbrick. The file will then be transfered from your computer to the redbrick server. I have the place after ":" empty which means that the file will go into my home directory. You could give a destination for where you want the file to go. From Another Computer To Your Own

If you want to get a file from computer 2 and put it on your own computer the syntax is slightly different. You will have to use this syntax: scp username@machine2:filename destination

For example: scp keloe@enigma.redbrick.dcu.ie:myFile . Again when it gets to the authentification stage you will be asked if you wish to continue. Just type yes. You will then be asked for the password to enigma. The fullstop "." just means the file will copied into your current directory. You could substitute with another destination if you wanted. Finale

Well thats it. All ya need to know about scp. If you've any questions don't hesitate in asking any member of the helpdesk team:-)