Transferring Files Between Different Machines


Transferring files between machines would be easy were
it not for the question of security.
Do you have permission to copy a file from one machine to your
account on another machine?  Do you have permission to
copy a file into a directory on another machine?
Etc.

Using @i[ftp]

The @i[ftp] utility is the ARPANET's standard file transfer program.
It provides a means for logging onto remote machines and
transferring files back and forth between different machines.

@i[ftp] solves the problem of security that you run into with
@i[rcp] by requiring users to provide passwords before being
able to make file transfers.

Use @i[ftp] when you don't want to fool with security issues.

Use @i[ftp] when you want to transfer single files,
or multiple files that are grouped in the same directory.
@i[ftp] cannot transfer Unix subtrees.

@i[rcp] advantages:

You can transfer single files, multiple files, and
Unix subtrees.

You can give an @i[rcp] command without having to start an
interactive process.

@i[rcp] handles third party copies.
You can be logged onto one machine,
and transfer files between two other machines without having to
be logged onto either one of them.

@i[rcp] disadvantages:

You must be trusted by the remote host that you are transferring
files with.

When do you want to use @i[rcp]?

You have to do some background work if you want to use @i[rcp].

If you want to transfer multiple files and directories with
files and subdirectories, use @i[rcp].

If you plan on transferring files between two machines frequently,
it is worth your while to set up your accounts to use @i[rcp].


WHAT ARE THE SCENARIOS?

1) You want to transfer one file from an account you have on another
   Athena machine.

2) You want to transfer multiple files from an account you have on
   another Athena machine. These files are in the same directory.

3) You want to transfer a directory and any subdirectories from
   an account you have on another Athena machine.

4) You want to transfer a file from someone else's account on
   another Athena machine.

5) You want to transfer multiple files from someone else's account
   on an Athena machine. The files are in the same directory.

6) You want to transfer a directory and any subdirectories from
   someone else's account on an Athena machine.

7) You want to be able to routinely copy files and directories
   from your account on another Athena machine.