This tutorial shows how to copy files between Linux computers using Secure Copy & a command line interface. Fast, easy & safe, better than FTP or SFTP.
If you’re using Windows locally, skip to VPS Admin Part 11: Copy Website Files between Windows/Linux Computers using the CLI, ‘cos the method’s different.
If you’re after database backup, that’s different too, so check this out.
But for Linux-to-Linux file transfers, you’re in the right place, and whether local to remote machines, remote to local or remote to remote, Secure Copy is a super-fast program for transfers .. and the OpenSSH encryption protocol behind it means sensitive data is encrypted.
Setup Unmanaged VPS: The Ubuntu-Nginx Guide
Take your virtual private server from zero to hero
.. from blank box to cute-as server ..
with this easy-to-follow copy/paste guide.
22+ parts with video, here’s the index.
Just one prereq: you need the SSH (Secure Shell) protocol enabled on each machine. But hey, if you’ve just built or are looking to administer a remote server, that’s a must anyhow. If you’re not sure or want to sort that, read VPS Bible 3 – Setup PuTTY & VPS Bible 5 – PuTTY with OpenSSH.
Copy/Upload Linux Local TO Linux Remote
This first example will securely copy a local file to your remote user directory (ie, /home/user).
Logged into your shell, goto the local folder where the file to copy is located:-
And execute something like this:-
Chocks away.
Secure Copy Syntax Broken Down
- scp starts the Secure Copy program
- fileToCopy.txt is the file to upload
- username is your remote Linux username
- IP address is your remote IP address or hostname
- : and don’t forget that!
.. that example presumes you’re using the default port, 22. If not – and you shouldn’t be * – specify another using this syntax:-
.. where -P (not -p) tells scp we’re using a bespoke port, and 54321 is the example port.
* To find out about changing your Nginx port, for added security, read VPS BIBLE Part 6: Harden the Secure Shell (SSH) & Create a Firewall.
Or if you want to copy a folder and its contents, try this:-
.. where the recursive command -r tells scp we’re copying a folder and it’s total content. Or:-
.. here we’re combining the recursive statement with the port.
If you want to change the filename from, say, abc.txt to xyz.txt, we can handle that:-
.. just add the revised filename to the end. Or, maybe you wanna change the folder path? Fussy, huh? ..
.. using the complete /path/to/folder and ensuring you’ve previously created the destination directory.
Finally, to preserve file timestamps and, if poss, the user, group and permissions, use this. I’ll example a folder and its contents, and put them in a specific folder:-
.. where the little p means preserve. Aha, so that’s why you gotta use the big P for port.
Top notch.
Copy/Backup Linux Local FROM Linux Remote
All the principles are the same, just the other way round.
So instead of:-
.. we syntax:-
.. where username@12.34.56.78:fileToCopy.txt specifies the file to copy from the remote host and fileToCopy.txt is the name we want to give the file, locally. We’ve previously cd‘ed to the directory into which we want to receive the file but, as with uploading, we could instead use a folder path. We could also preserve (p) the metadata and copy folders recursively.
To get a little more complicato:-
.. that says we want to copy the remote file abc.txt, specifying its location, but renaming it to xyz.txt in the specified folder which has been created previously. We’re not using port 21 so pinpoint the port 54321 with -P, and are preserving the files metadata with p.
.. this time, its basically the same, except we’re moving a folder and its content, so are employing the recursive, r, syntax.
Secure Copy Between Two Linux Hosts
Hmmn. Fact is, I dunno, cos I’ve not yet tried, so maybe someone can fill me in? Pretty please.
My guess would be something like:-
.. but really that is untested so, hey, be sure to play with mock files.
Right. Quite enough of that. You see the deal. This is powerful stuff, ideal for uploading/moving/backing up a site and, relative to SFTP or FTP, super-fast. Yup. Way quicker than opening FileZilla SnailZilla, wading through the ridiculously slow-loading directory tree, yaaawn, all that. You get the picture.
Setup Unmanaged VPS: The Ubuntu-Nginx Guide
Take your virtual private server from zero to hero
with this easy-to-follow copy/paste guide.
“My local PC runs Windows” Show me for Linux/Mac
“My local machine is Linux/Mac” Show me for Windows
22+ parts with video, here’s the index ..
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Setup Unmanaged VPS: The Ubuntu-Nginx Guide
Introducing vpsBible’s how-to guide for setting up a super-charged unmanaged VPS featuring Ubuntu and Nginx.
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VPS (Virtual Private Server) vs Shared vs Dedicated
Before getting stuck in, let’s compare the web host types in detail and weigh up the differences between managed & unmanaged VPS.
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Set Up a VPS Linux Distribution
Opening a VPS hosting account, we’ll choose, configure & launch a Linux server ‘distribution’.
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Set Up Command Line Interface (CLI) using PuTTY
Now we’ve got a server to play with, we’ll connect to it, using the ’ssh’ protocol for a super-secure link.
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Create a Linux User & Set Permissions
Initially you’ve logged into your remote Linux machine as ‘root’. We’ll add you as a user now, with root or SuperUser permissions.
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Encrypt Data with OpenSSH & Auto-Login with PuTTY
Now we can use ‘authentication keys’ to shore up our connection while simplifying login to an automated, password-free yet secure process.
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Harden the Secure Shell (SSH) & Create a Firewall
The final security step: galvanizing the OpenSSH protocol and setting up an ‘iptables’ firewall. Now the server is rock ruddy solid.
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Edit bashrc for User-Friendly Linux, plus System Updates
We use the terminal a whole lot so let’s cut ourselves a break and create some command shortcuts, then update the server.
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Add a Domain Zone to Your VPS
To make your server aware of yourDomain.com you’ll need a few ‘DNS’ records. Damn this is simple I’m practically asleep!
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Prepare Linux Server for Email with Postfix
In order to send and receive email from our web applications we’ll install some software and tweak the ‘RDNS’ record.
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Install PHP5 & MySQL – The One-Stop FastCGI Index Page
Add PHP5 & MySQL, but which FastCGI method is best? Here’s the benchmarking, 4 ways to install/compile, add caching modules & more.
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Nginx (better than Apache) Web Server
Let’s install this supersonic web server, tweaking its file structure & adding default configuration files.
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Setup FileZilla for Secure FTP (SFTP)
There’s FTP, and then there’s ‘Secure FTP’. We’ll set up FileZilla using SFTP – and those authentication keys – for secure file transfers.
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Serve Multiple Sites & Blogs with Virtual Hosts
We want a website folder structure, some permissions, some site-specific configuration files and, hey, we’ll hook up ‘FastCGI’.
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Adding Sub-Domains with Nginx
Need a sub-domain? If you do, here’s how to add subDomain.yourSite.com with an ‘A record’ and a configuration file.
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Integrate A CMS Like WordPress, WP MU, Drupal etc
For those of you wanting to use a specific content framework, such as a CMS, blogging or forum software, pop in here and we’ll sort that out.
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Google Apps for Domain-Specific Email
GA’s free Standard Edition for catchall webmail – POP-ping or IMAP-ped to your desktop client – saves precious server resources for your webs.
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Moving Day! How to Move Your Blog or Site
Nearly there. Here’s the web site or blog migration guide, relocating to your VPS with minimal or no downtime.
Manage Unmanaged VPS: Ubuntu-Nginx Administration
Already set it up? We’d best maintain it then.
Toggle to the .. Ubuntu-Nginx Admin Index
Manage Unmanaged VPS: Ubuntu-Nginx Administration
Maintain your virtual private server with ..
.. cheatsheets, tutorials, tips & guides.
Head back to the .. Ubuntu-Nginx Installation Index
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Nginx Control Panel: Here’s the Deal
You’re migrating shared-to-VPS and want a GUI like cPanel? No you don’t, not after you read this! What’s more, you don’t need one either.
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Nginx Control Panel Workarounds
For every control panel module there’s an equivalent (and faster) terminal command. Let’s compare these.
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Upgrade to Nginx Latest Version with ZERO Downtime
Keep Nginx up-to-date – and optimized for security. This guide shows precisely how *with no missed server requests*.
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Compile an Advanced Nginx Module Configuration
Need special web server functions? Here’s how to install or upgrade Nginx with bespoke required modules & parameters.
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Add Web Sites Nginx Cheatsheet
Once you’ve set up your first site, adding more gets easier. Especially when you refer to this. (Let’s face it, I’m just too good to you.)
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Adding Sub-Domains with Nginx
Rather than add somesite.tld, maybe you want some.subsite.tld? Here’s how to set your A record using a DNS manager and the vhost file for Nginx.
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Add/Delete MySQL Database from Command Line
Need a database? Want to bin an old db? This tutorial shows you how using the terminal command line console whatnot.
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Configure phpMyAdmin for Nginx to Maintain MySQL
Rather than have to crunch databases via the command line, we can make life easier by adding this splendid tool to manage them.
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Backup/Export MySQL DB with CLI & mysqldump
Here’s how to backup a database from the command line using the handy mysqldump utility.
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Import MySQL Database using Command Line
Import data to a new database with this simple mysqldump guide .. great for reinstating an old backed-up db, for instance.
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Batch Replace/Delete Data in MySQL Database
Change repetitive db data with a single command. Rather than manually find & alter each instance, isolate the lot & update multiple content.
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LOST a MySQL Password? How to RESET it
Lost your MySQL password? That’s a bit of a bummer .. or it would be if you didn’t have this new password setup guide, huh.
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Backup or Upload with Secure Copy SCP (Linux to Linux)
Never mind FTP m8! Save time and download/upload your files using encrypted SCP (secure copy), the #1 Linux-Linux file transfer solution.
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Backup or Upload with PuTTY PSFTP (Windows/Linux)
Equivalent to the above, how to transfer your files if you’re unlucky enough to be running Windows for your local PC. Not that I’m biased.
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*USEFULLY* Park A Spare Domain with Nginx
Got a spare domain name sat around doing nothing? Put it to some use, have it point its traffic at your primary domain. Here’s the deal ..
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Password Protect Nginx Web Files/Directories
Maybe you want a hidden website directory, say, for projects, or are developing a site and want it off-limits ’till launch day. Top tip ..
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Redirect Web Pages with Nginx Rewrite Rule
Here’s the syntax to point a site or blog to another domain. That way, for instance, traffic from a passive site benefits an active one.
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Nginx Error & Access Logs
Need to troubleshoot some error, or want to find out who’s trying to hack your site? Here’s a start .. those tell-tale logs.
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Subversion for Easy CMS Updates ie WordPress/Drupal/etc
A brief introduction to install and know about the power of Subversion, the version control system to keep scripts and platforms up-to-date.
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You Tell Me …
Something missing? Probably. Let me know what you’d like included. And if it’s listed below, shout out anyhow and I’ll try to bump it.
Nginx Admin: In the Works ..
This lot’s marked for addition already:-
- Setup or Edit DNS using Bind
- Network Tools Troubleshooting Guide
- The Comprehensive Permissions Guide
- Configuring Nginx Rewrites
- Custom Website Error Page
- Setting up Cron Jobs
- Rsync for Incremental Remote-to-Local Backup
- Cron & Rsync for Automatic Backup
- Cron & mysqldump for Auto DB Backup
- Safeguard Bandwidth with Hotlink Protection
- Block Access with Nginx’ IP Deny
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Secure VOIP communication with ZRTP | Intro to Voip Systems August 27th, 2009 at 8:28 pm
[...] BACKUP/UPLOAD Website with Secure Copy SCP – VPS ADMIN #10 – GUVNR [...]
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[...] SCP is the program Secure Copy, which you can read all about here – Backup or Upload with Secure Copy SCP (Linux/Linux) [...]