Hey everyone, first post here! I'm curious about the best methods for transferring files over SSH. I've heard that `scp` used to be the go-to option for this, but there are claims that tools like `rsync` might be better. What do you think? Are there any security concerns with using `scp`, or is there a compelling reason to choose something else? Looking forward to your thoughts!
6 Answers
`scp` is generally fine for straightforward transfers, but if you're dealing with larger directories or need to resume interrupted transfers, `rsync` is the way to go. `sftp` is another solid option, and it works well too. I’ve also seen people using `ssh` to pipe transfers, which can be clever but might lead to issues with different line endings if you're moving files between systems like Linux and Windows. Just keep that in mind!
Many folks find that `rsync` is better than `scp` when it comes to transferring a lot of files. This is because `rsync` opens a single connection for all the files, while `scp` requires a new connection for each file, which can really slow things down if you’re moving thousands of them. Plus, `rsync` can compress files during transfer, which is great if you're dealing with larger files and limited bandwidth. It also updates only the parts of files that have changed, making it much faster in those instances.
Totally agree! Also, you can just tar and compress before sending and then extract on the other end. It's a handy trick!
My usual go-to is to mount remote directories using `sshfs`. It makes accessing files feel pretty much like working with local files. Each method has its perks, but this one keeps things straightforward for me!
As for security, using any form of SSH like `scp`, `sftp`, or `rsync` over SSH keeps things encrypted. If you’re just updating existing files, `rsync` is ideal since it only sends over the differences. Don’t forget to protect your SSH keys with a strong passphrase!
In my experience, `rsync` is definitely superior for managing larger sets of files or syncing data between systems. It ensures you don’t end up with incomplete transfers, which is a lifesaver. For regular transfers, though, all of these options are secure enough. Just pay attention to your specific needs!
When it comes to security, both `scp` and `rsync` are good since they use the SSH protocol. But `scp` has some design flaws and isn’t maintained as actively. If your connection drops, `scp` won’t resume automatically, while `rsync` handles that gracefully. I’ve started using `rsync` for my backups because it only transfers changes. Just make sure you run it over SSH for the added layer of security!
Good point! I’ve read that recent versions of `scp` use SFTP under the hood, so it might not matter much. Still, I prefer `rsync` for its efficiency.
Yeah, I've run into problems with line endings before! It’s definitely something to watch out for.