Windows Linux Networking

Windows `ftp` equivalent in Linux

Transfers files between computers over a network. Linux has several options with different security levels.

Windows ftp

→

Linux equivalents

Debian/Ubuntu same command

scp / sftp

Fedora same command

scp / sftp

Arch same command

scp / sftp

Overview

What this command does

Transfers files between computers over a network. Linux has several options with different security levels.

Migration tip: Avoid plain FTP — it sends passwords in cleartext. Use scp or sftp (SSH-based, encrypted) whenever possible. scp works like a remote cp.

Practical tasks

Common use cases

Transfer files over network

Transfers files between computers over a network. Linux has several options with different security levels.

scp file user@host:/path

Secure copy to remote server

scp -r dir user@host:/path

Copy entire directory

scp user@host:/file .

Download from remote server

Ready to run

Copyable Linux commands

Review paths, device names, package names and permissions before running any command.

scp report.pdf john@server.com:/home/john/

scp john@server.com:/var/log/app.log .

sftp john@server.com

Walkthrough

Examples with explanations

# Windows: ftp server.com

# Upload a file securely:
scp report.pdf john@server.com:/home/john/

# Download a file:
scp john@server.com:/var/log/app.log .

# Interactive session:
sftp john@server.com
  get remotefile.txt    # download
  put localfile.txt     # upload
  bye                   # exit

Reference

Common options and variations

Command or option	Use
`scp file user@host:/path`	Secure copy to remote server
`scp -r dir user@host:/path`	Copy entire directory
`scp user@host:/file .`	Download from remote server
`sftp user@host`	Interactive secure FTP session
`ftp hostname`	Plain FTP (avoid — not encrypted)

Distro differences

Debian/Ubuntu vs Fedora vs Arch

This command is the same on Debian/Ubuntu, Fedora and Arch Linux when the relevant tool is installed.

Distribution	Package manager / base	Equivalent command	Difference to notice
Debian/Ubuntu	same command	`scp / sftp`	Same command on this distribution.
Fedora	same command	`scp / sftp`	Same command on this distribution.
Arch	same command	`scp / sftp`	Same command on this distribution.

Important

What to watch out for

Plain FTP transmits your username and password in plain text. Never use it over the internet — use SFTP or SCP instead.

Keep learning

What this command does

Common use cases

Transfer files over network

scp file user@host:/path

scp -r dir user@host:/path

scp user@host:/file .

Copyable Linux commands

Examples with explanations

Common options and variations

Debian/Ubuntu vs Fedora vs Arch

What to watch out for

Related Networking commands