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FTP / SFTP

Info

FTP is not supported on Fortress because it does not allow for secure transmission of data. Use SFTP instead, as described below.

SFTP (Secure File Transfer Protocol) is a reliable way of transferring files between two machines. SFTP is available as a protocol choice in some graphical file transfer programs and also as a command-line program on most Linux, Unix, and Mac OS X systems. SFTP has more features than SCP and allows for other operations on remote files, remote directory listing, and resuming interrupted transfers. Command-line SFTP cannot recursively copy directory contents; to do so, try using a graphical SFTP client.

Note

Note: to access Fortress through SFTP, you must be on a Purdue campus network or connected through VPN.

To transfer files to or from Fortress, your client should connect to the server name sftp.fortress.rcac.purdue.edu.

Command-line usage:

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$ sftp username@sftp.fortress.rcac.purdue.edu

      (to the Fortress system from a local computer)
sftp> put sourcefile somedir/destinationfile
sftp> put -P sourcefile somedir/

      (from the Fortress system to a local computer)
sftp> get sourcefile somedir/destinationfile
sftp> get -P sourcefile somedir/

sftp> exit

The -P flag is optional. When used, it will cause the transfer to preserve file attributes and permissions.

Linux / Solaris / AIX / HP-UX / Unix:

  • The sftp command-line program should already be installed.

Microsoft Windows:

  • MobaXterm — Free, full-featured, graphical Windows SSH, SCP, and SFTP client.

Mac OS X:

  • The sftp command-line program should already be installed. You may start a local terminal window from "Applications->Utilities".
  • Cyberduck is a full-featured and free graphical SFTP and SCP client.