Linux or UNIX securely copy files across a network computer

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I know FTP is insecure, how do I securely copy files across a network computer? My network has Windows and Linux systems and how to copy files from one machine to another using ssh?

You need to use OpenSSH client and server technology to copy between two more networked computers. You can also find free ssh client tools. The scp command copies files between hosts on a network. It uses ssh for data transfer, and uses the same authentication and provides the same security as ssh.

Copy from Linux to Linux/UNIX system

The syntax is:
scp {source} {destination}
scp file1 file2
scp file1 [email protected]:/path/to/destination/
To copy file called data.txt to ras.nixcraft.in Linux system using vivek username:
$ scp data.txt [email protected]:/home/vivek
Copy more than two files:
$ scp data.txt pic.jpg [email protected]:/home/vivek
Copy /data directory and all files inside /data i.e. recursively copy entire directories:
$ scp -r /data/ [email protected]:/home/vivek/
To copy a file from server2 to server1 while logged into server1:
scp [email protected]:/my/file/location/ /path/to/destination

Copy from Windows to Linux/UNIX system

You can download any one of the following free Windows SCP client

Just install above client and follow on screen instructions to copy files.

Posted by: Vivek Gite

The author is the creator of nixCraft and a seasoned sysadmin and a trainer for the Linux operating system/Unix shell scripting. He has worked with global clients and in various industries, including IT, education, defense and space research, and the nonprofit sector. Follow him on Twitter, Facebook, Google+.

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17 comment

  2. Todd,

    You can copy multiple files to multiple servers using shell for loop:

    SERVERS="[email protected] [email protected] [email protected]"
for s in $SERVERS
do
  scp file1 file2 ${s}:/path
done
    Reply Report comment

  3. you could also use it without a script.

    for i in 1 2 3; do scp file1 file2 [email protected]$i; done

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  5. Is it possible to send password in the same line?
    As in ftp we use, [email protected] . We cant disturb the remote machine for moving public key files. Thats why.

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  7. Hi vivek,

    thank you for sharing all that in all the really goods post, article and tip/tricks. I’m not a sysadmin and your site has help me a lot those past moths for managing my server. Thanks !

    Reply Report comment

  10. When i try to copy a file from one server to another server using rcp command, i get error permission denied & if i use command scp, then it gives error connection lost whereas the server is pingable.

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  11. Hi All,

    This is all clear. But, if i want to copy single file to multiple destination using scp How can we do that ?

    If possible, Can anybody send me syntax for that.

    Thanks in advance.
    Best Regards,
    Shameem.

    Reply Report comment

  16. Dears;

    We have a file xyz.cap in the below path in the LIGLIG01 of a Linux Server.
    I need to make a copy of this file into my flash memory or into my personal computer. Can you help please?

    LIGLIG01 tools# cd /tmp
    LIGLIG01 tmp# ls
    xyz.pcap rstser.sh tmpcmd.2638.out
    cfgsrv.lst savsl.tmp tmpcmd.2639.err
    hsperfdata_wali sec_audit.ptn1 tmpcmd.2639.out
    _iecs_soft1_prg.md5chk.old sec_audit.ptn2 tmpcmd.2643.err
    IRI-PTC_Y_TR00.pcap sec_audit_suroot.tmp tmpcmd.2643.out
    lig_cd_S21D_5.iso stunnel_conf_8329.conf W12C_5.iso
    netdos.out stunnel_conf_8401.conf _WALI_lig_soft.md5chk.old
    pid_stunnel_8329 stunnel_conf_8402.conf _WALI_wali_soft.md5chk.old
    pid_stunnel_8401 system.ini
    pid_stunnel_8402 tmpcmd.2638.err

    Thanks in advance.
    Best Regards;

    Reply Report comment

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