SFTP clients recommended for use at IU

The SSH File Transfer Protocol (SFTP) is a secure file transfer protocol that uses the Secure Shell protocol, version 2 (SSH2), to authenticate users and establish secure channels between networked computers. Unlike the Secure Copy Protocol (SCP), SFTP provides remote file access and management capabilities that allow SFTP clients to resume interrupted file transfers, browse the directory contents of remote computers, and delete remote files.

  • Graphical SFTP clients: Graphical SFTP clients simplify file transfers by allowing you to drag and drop files and folders from one computer to another.

    For use on personal workstations, UITS recommends the following graphical SFTP clients:

    • Windows: WinSCP is an open source graphical SFTP client developed specifically for use on Windows computers. Download and install WinSCP for free directly from the WinSCP download page. WinSCP also is available for use on the computers in the IU Bloomington and IUPUI Student Technology Centers (STCs). Additionally, WinSCP is available for use on personal Windows workstations via IUanyWare.

      For help with WinSCP, see Guides to Using WinSCP in the WinSCP documentation.

    • macOS: Cyberduck is an open source graphical SFTP client for use on macOS and Windows computers. Download and install Cyberduck for free directly from the Cyberduck download page.

      Cyberduck also is available for use on the computers in the IU Bloomington and IUPUI Student Technology Centers (STCs).

      For help with Cyberduck, see the SFTP guide in the Cyberduck Help wiki.

  • Command-line SFTP clients: For use on personal workstations at IU, UITS recommends the following command-line SFTP clients:
    • Windows: PSFTP is the command-line SFTP client bundled with the PuTTY SSH client. Download and install PuTTY for free from the PuTTY download page.

      For help with PSFTP, see Using PSFTP to transfer files securely in the PuTTY User Manual.

    • macOS and Linux: sftp is a command-line utility bundled with OpenSSH, a suite of command-line SSH tools integrated with macOS (accessible from the Terminal) and most Linux operating systems.

      For help with sftp, see the SFTP (1) manual page.

Note:

Two-factor authentication using Two-Step Login (Duo) is required for access to the login nodes on IU research supercomputers, and for SCP and SFTP file transfers to those systems. SSH public key authentication remains an option for researchers who submit the "SSH public key authentication to HPS systems" agreement, in which you agree to set a passphrase on your private key when you generate your key pair. If you have questions about how two-factor authentication may impact your workflows, contact the UITS Research Applications and Deep Learning team. For help, see Get started with Two-Step Login (Duo) at IU and Help for Two-Step Login (Duo).

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Last modified on 2024-02-12 15:46:21.