How Can You Easily Transfer Files Between Servers Using SSH
A website is unlike a building that cannot transfer to another when established in one location. Several reasons you may decide to move your website from one server to another. It could be because your current provider is unreliable, or maybe your website has grown to a point where your current hosting provider is not in a position to offer you the more advanced and sophisticated features your business needs to continue operating smoothly. And sometimes, you may want to share a file with a work colleague far away. Whatever your reasons, when you decide to move files from one server to another, there are a couple of ways to do it. You may transfer all files to your computer and manually upload them to the desired server. Yes, of course, that method is hectic and insecure. But there is a better, more secure, and easy way to do it; using SSH.
What is SSH, and How Does SSH Work?
SSH stands for Secure Shell and Secure SocketShell, SSH is an encryption protocol that allows you to avoid malware by creating a secure connection over a vulnerable network. SSH enables your computer to connect with servers through a safe network. Most systems administrators use it to access and manage remote servers. It is also called Secure Shell (full form for SSH). It was developed around 1995 to replace unsecured protocols such as Telnet, login, etc.
The moment you transfer a file from your computer to the server, SSH encodes and only decodes the file once it reaches its destination. All these encryption and decryption processes happen in the background; you’ll not even realize it is happening. Most operating systems come preinstalled with the SSH software. However, you can download it online if your operating system doesn’t have it.
When you initiate a request, a Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) is created to facilitate communication between your computer and the server. You’ll be required to approve the session, especially if it is your first time connecting to the service using SSH. Once the session is approved, a unique key is generated to encrypt the connection so that all exchanges between you and the server are secure.
The Secure Shell is used in the majority of data centers across the world. It facilitates the secure transfer of data and helps manage remote systems by securing functions like backups. However, you can only ensure the network’s security if your SSH keys are Kept safe. This is critical primarily where different members of the IT teams occasionally perform tasks on the network.
5 Steps to transfer files from one server to another using SSH
If you have never used SSH before, you may think it is a complicated process; you’ll think otherwise after going through these five steps. Carefully follow these five simple steps to transfer files using SSH. It is not difficult even if you are doing it for the first time.
- The first step is to access the server’s control panel. Check to be sure SSH is activated. It is not difficult to turn on the SSH setting. You can always contact your host via live chat support and request a customer representative to activate it for you. An SSH username is set by you or automatically created by the server. Make sure you don’t lose this username. After you fill in the password and confirm, the SSH account is created. Be careful to jot down the essential SSH connection information for later use. It is also vital that you take note of host keys.
- You should have PuTTY installed and activated; if not, dot it now. Once puTTy is enabled, create a secure SSH connection to your remote server. You’ll be prompted to fill in the required information after which you can make the connection. Before the link is activated, Putty will notify you of a potential security threat; click yes to approve the connection. You may not get an alert if this is the second time you are making the connection. Next, you’ll be required to fill in your username and password and then hit ENTER on your keyboard. You should now have access to a command line on the server. However, you’ll not see this if you enter the wrong credentials. You’ll perform all actions through the command line. Make all necessary commands via this window.
- Through Putty, locate the target folder on the server and make sure there are no other files with the same name as the one you want to transfer. You can move files with the same name to another folder or delete them together.
- Next, move designated files from one server to the next with the help of secure syntax. The SCP command is that one that enables the transfer of files securely. The command syntax you’ll need will depend on the number of files you hope to move and where they are located.
- Next, fill in the required credentials for the other remote server where you want to send said files. Now you may push the enter button on your keyboard. The transfers should begin; however, if you enter the wrong credentials, the file transfer will not be activated.
If, after following this guide, you have failed to successfully transfer desired files between servers using SSH, contact customer support from the servers’ provider for further help.
Conclusion
There are always circumstances when you must transfer a file from one server to another. It could be because you want to migrate your website to a better server or need to share an important file with a colleague. There are a couple of ways to transfer files between servers. However, SSH is one of the most secure and simple methods of transferring files over a network. To get the SSH software, download it online. But you may not need to do this since most popular operating systems (OS) come already installed with the SSH software. Using SSH is not a complicated process; you can do it in 5 simple steps, as discussed above.
