SSH Secure File Transfer

Tips and Troubleshooting

For fast file access, use the SSH Secure File Transfer client to copy your files between your remote computer and the Nebula network servers. As soon as you connect to the UW dial-in service (see the UWICK site for more information about how to do this), you can open an SSH session and copy files between your remote computer and the Nebula network. The alternative, logging into the Nebula network to obtain the G: and H: drive mappings, results in much slower response time overall, especially over a modem dial-up connection.

Tips and Troubleshooting

How do I use SSH Secure File Transfer to view my H: drive?

First download and install the UWICK software. Then open up a session (Start -> Programs -> SSH Tectia Client -> SSH Tectia Client - SFTP).

Click Quick Connect and fill in your host name and your UWNetID as your user name. In most cases your host name will be bank.u.washington.edu, but if you know your files are stored on Red it will be red.cac.washington.edu.
Enter your UWNetID password. If asked to save information locally, answer Yes.
This should display the contents of your H: drive.

How do I view my I:\drive files?

Follow the instructions above to open your H: drive.
Operation -> Go to Folder
In the resultant box, type /usr/groups. You should see the I:\groups drive contents.

How do I transfer files?

To copy files from your PC to the network:
- In the SSH window, maneuver to the directory that will receive the file.
- Click the Up arrow and maneuver to the file on the local PC to be transferred.

To copy files from the network to your PC:
- Locate the file on the network drive.
- Click on the Down arrow, and maneuver to the directory on the local PC that will receive the file.

How can I make this easier, since I use it all the time?

Set up a Profile that will save your login information:

Open the transfer window (Start -> Programs -> SSH Secure Shell -> Secure File Transfer Client).
Click Profiles -> Add A Profile and type in a short name.
Click Profiles -> Edit A Profile and choose the name you just created. Fill in the host name and user name and click OK.
To use it, click Profiles and then your named profile.

Set up shortcuts to your I:\groups directories (we'll use i:\groups\ours\foo as an example):

Log into a Bank terminal (Start -> Programs -> Terminals -> Bank).
At the % prompt, type:
ln -s /usr/groups/ours/foo $HOME/foo
- Logout
- When you log into the secure file transfer client, your home directory will show a folder called "foo" which leads to /groups/ours/foo.

How do I use SSH to transfer files to Fastrans?

Setting up a Fastrans session:

Start as stated above: download and install the UWICK software. Then open up a session (Start -> Programs -> SSH Secure Shell -> Secure File Transfer Client).
Click on Profiles, then Add Profile, and type a name; for this example we'll use fastrans. Hit Enter to add this profile (or click on Add The Current Connection to Profiles).
Click Profiles again, then Edit Profile. With fastrans selected, type fastrans.u.washington.edu in the Host Name field, and your Fastrans userid in the User Name field.
Click the Authentication tab. Click the word Password and then click the big up arrow to move it to first place on the list. Click OK.
Click Edit, then Settings to open the Settings window. Under Global Settings - File Transfer, click Mode. In the File Transfer Mode section to the right, click the ASCII button. Click OK.

Using a Fastrans session:

Open the SSH window (Programs - SSH Secure Shell - SSH File Transfer Client).
Click Profiles, and double-click your fastrans profile.
The first time, you'll be asked about saving the host key; answer Yes.
Enter your Fastrans password in the next window.
Click on Operation, then Upload.
In the Upload - Select Files window, maneuver to the file name you wish to transfer; it should end in .txt, .prn or .isd.
Double-click the file to transfer it. You should see your selected file in the Fastrans directory.