2.3 Transfer Files Using sftp

Use sftp to transfer files securely between the local computer and a remote host. You can also perform other file management commands, such as creating directories and changing file permissions. You can use sftp interactively or in combination with batch files to automate actions. For detailed information about command line options, see sftp Command Line Options. For an sftp command reference, see Supported sftp Commands.

To open an interactive sftp session

  1. Connect to a remote host. For example:

    sftp joe@myhost.com

    NOTE:You can omit the user name if your name on the Secure Shell server is the same as your current user name.

    After a successful connection is established, the following prompt appears:

    sftp>
  2. Do any of the following:

    To

    Use

    View a list of supported commands

    help; for example:

    sftp> help

    Learn more about supported commands

    help command; for example:

    sftp> help put

    Transfer and manage files

    Supported commands; for example, to transfer the file demo from the local working directory to the remote working directory:

    sftp> put demo

    End the session

    quit; for example:

    sftp> quit

NOTE:The first time you connect to a host, you may see a prompt asking you to confirm the authenticity of the host. For more information, see Make a Client Connection.