Transfer files between two computers

File Transfer Between Linux Systems

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1. Netcat + Tar (Fast but Less Secure)

To send a directory:

1. On the sender:

   tar -cz . | nc -q 10 -l -p 45454
   

2. On the receiver:

   nc -w 10 $REMOTE_HOST 45454 | tar -xz
   

   • Replace $REMOTE_HOST with the sender’s IP address or hostname.
   • You can change the port 45454 to another port of your choice.

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2. Copying Files with SCP

Commands for file transfer using scp:

1. To transfer a file:

   scp <file> <username>@<IP or hostname>:<Destination>
   

2. To transfer directories recursively:

   scp -r <local_path> <username>@<server>:(remote_path)
   scp -r <username>@<server>:(remote_path) <local_path>
   

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3. Using SSHFS (Secure and Convenient)

Installation:

On the client:

sudo apt-get install sshfs

Mounting a Remote File System:

sshfs -o transform_symlinks -ofollow_symlinks user@hostname:/remote/path /local/mountpoint

Example:

sshfs -o cache=yes,allow_other user@192.168.1.200:/home/user/code /home/user/code

Unmounting:

sudo umount /local/mountpoint

Note: For sharing with multiple users, consider using NFS. Refer to this NFS configuration tutorial for details.

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File Transfer Between Windows and Linux

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1. Samba Server

Samba is a convenient tool for sharing files between Windows and Linux, similar to NFS.

Setting Up Samba on Linux:

1. Install Samba:

   sudo apt update
   sudo apt install samba
   

2. Create a shared directory:

   mkdir /home/<username>/sambashare/
   

3. Edit the Samba configuration file:

   sudo vim /etc/samba/smb.conf
   

   Add the following lines:

   [sambashare]
       comment = Samba on Ubuntu
       path = /home/<username>/sambashare
       read only = no
       browsable = yes
   

4. Restart Samba:

   sudo service smbd restart
   

5. Add a Samba user and set a password:

   sudo smbpasswd -a <username>
   

   Note: The Samba username must match a system account for it to work.

Accessing Samba Shares from Windows:

1. Open File Explorer on Windows.
2. Enter the following in the address bar:

   \\<ip-address>\sambashare
   

   Replace <ip-address> with the Linux machine’s IP address.

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This guide provides efficient methods for secure and convenient file sharing across Linux and Windows systems.