Graphical SFTP Client How-To

USING A GRAPHICAL SFTP CLIENT WITH RCG STORAGE

If you’re off-campus, one of the easiest way to access your research network home directory or lab storage is through a graphical SFTP client like the free and open source FileZilla.

Note: If you don’t like the look of FileZilla, try WinSCP (Windows) or Cyberduck (Mac, Windows).

After installing FileZilla, create a bookmark to e.g., your research network home directory:

  • Name it rcga-linux-ts1 (or whatever host you’re connecting to)
  • Host: rcga-linux-ts1.dc.sfu.ca
  • Protocol: SFTP - SSH File Transfer Protocol
  • Port: leave blank
  • Logon Type: Normal
  • User: jsixpack (substitute your SFU computing ID; do not include @sfu.ca)
  • Password: leave blank. You’ll be asked for your password when you log in.
  • Hit “OK”.

Connect to the SFU VPN before proceeding.

In FileZilla, choose the File menu => Site Manager and select the site you want to connect to (eg. rcga-linux-ts1). Click the Connect button. (You can also hit the first icon on the left of the toolbar at the top of the window to bring up the Site Manager.)

The first time you connect, you’ll get a warning about the server’s host key being unknown. Check the little check-box beside “Always trust this host…” and hit “OK”.

Once you’re connected, you’ll see a split view: on the left will be your computer’s local disk, and on the right will be the remote filesystem.

By default you will be placed in your home directory.

To download a file, right-click on a file in the right-hand window, and select “Download”.

To upload a file, right-click on a file in the left-hand window, and select “Upload”.

Note: You can also access research network storage via SMB/CIFS on campus, or off-campus via the VPN.

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