Data Transfer/Graphical Clients

Graphical Clients are an alternative to command line tools. They provide a graphical user interface and usually offer access to multiple network protocols. They can be used for data transfer as well as access via ssh.

MobaXterm

MobaXterm is a graphical user interface for Windows. It is the recommended client for Windows as it provides a full-featured solution for Windows users to comfortably interact with remote systems. It enables the usage of basic Linux/Unix commands on Windows computers, for example ssh. Furthermore, it provides a graphical SFTP browser upon login to a remote system.

Usage

After MobaXterm is downloaded and installed, you can connect by providing the hostname and your credentials. Therefore, navigate to the "Session" option located in the top-left corner.

Note: When using file transfer with MobaXterm version >=23.3, the following configuration change has to be made: In the settings in the tab "SSH", change the option "SSH engine" from "<new>" to "<legacy>". Then restart MobaXterm.

To get the file browser, you might need to specify the SSH-browser type "SCP":

Files can be transferred between the local system and the cluster by navigating to the respective folders in the split file view and then either dragging files and folders between the views or by clicking on a file/folder with the right mouse button and then selecting "Upload" or "Download" from the menu. When copying directories and files from Windows to a Linux system, always check the access rights!

Alternatively, you can connect via sftp.

FileZilla

Filezilla is a graphical user interface for data transfer on all operating systems. It uses the network protocol sftp.

Usage

Start FileZilla and select "File -> Site Manager..." from the main menu.

Select "New site" and set up a new connection with the following settings:

Protocol: SFTP - SSH File Transfer Protocol  
Host: <hostname>  
Logon Typ: Interactive  
User: <[username](https://wiki.bwhpc.de/e/Registration/Login/Username)>  

After providing the service password, you are connected. The left side of the interface displays your local machine, while the right side shows the server you have connected to.

Note: By default Filezilla will close the connection after 20 seconds of inactivity. In order to increase or disable this timeout, select "Edit -> Settings ... -> Connections" and increase "Timeout in seconds" to a reasonable value or set to 0 to disable connection timeout.

WinSCP

WinSCP is a graphical user interface for Windows. It can be used to transfer files between your PC and a cluster. It implements the scp command known from Linux and Mac. It supports sftp and webDAV as well.

Usage

After WinSCP is downloaded and installed, you can connect by providing the hostname and your credentials. Therefore, click on "New Tab" to create a "New Site".

You can transfer the files via drag & drop.