File transfer with SFTP

Last revision October 26, 2007

The original file transfer protocol for the Internet is called ftp. Unfortunately, the ftp protocol sends your password over the network in plain text, with no encryption. As of July 16, 2007, pangea no longer accepts ftp connections from user accounts. Pangea only accepts anonymous ftp connections.

To transfer files to or from pangea over the Internet, you must now use a program that supports the scp or sftp protocol. Both of these protocols create a secure encrypted connection between your computer and pangea.

Command line programs named scp and sftp are built-in to the Unix, Linux, and Mac OS X operating systems. In addition, Stanford has site-licensed client programs for Windows and Mac OS X that implement the sftp protocol using a graphical interface. These are available from the Essential Stanford Software web site.

Of course, to use an scp or sftp program to transfer files to or from pangea, you must have a pangea account! These programs will require you to login to pangea with your pangea account name and your local pangea password, not your SUNet password.

You can transfer any type of file via scp or sftp, of any size up to the limit of available disk space. When connected to pangea, you can move around in the file system and transfer files to or from any directory to which you have appropriate permission. If you are using pangea as a temporary location to transfer files between other computers, be sure to use the scratch disks on pangea, not your home directory. Home directory space is very limited.

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