Tools for Information Literacy

Task 01e: Install an SFTP tool

Use the Secure File Transfer Protocol (SFTP) tool to move files
from your client to a server and from a server to your client.

SFTP requires two computers, one running an SFTP server, the other running an SFTP client. The exchange is initiated by the client which logs in to a server under an accepted user name and password. Once this occurs, a session is opened and stays open until closed by either the client or the server, or until it times out. While the session is open, the client may execute numerous SFTP commands on the server. These include commands to change directories, list files, get files and put files.

You have access to servers which provide storage space for some of your data. These may be, among others, normal data files or HTML files that support web pages.

You may hear both the terms FTP and SFTP.
The difference is in the level of security each type of connection affords.

We will be using the SFTP capability exclusively.

If you are associated with SILS,
you can use your Onyen login to access storage on SILS servers, in particular on the server named Opal.

Use of these servers will necessitate your instructor arranging for you to obtain a SILS account. But to use them, you must have an SFTP client on your personal computer.

Mac users

You have many choices. Cyberduck, or Filezilla are good SFTP clients to use in a Mac to server environment.

PuTTY on Mac is also a good choice as it has both terminal and SFTP functionality.

Linux users

You can use one of several SFTP tools to manage your files.

Note that Filezilla and PuTTY are also recommended for Linux users.

Windows users

Cyberduck, or Filezilla are both players here as well.

PuTTY on Windows is also a good choice as it is a reasonable replacement as it has both terminal and SFTP functionality.

We will use various SFTP tools for in-class examples.

If you need to transfer files from the client computer you are using to the server, or from the server to the client computer, you will need to use an SFTP client. Assuming you use Cyberduck, start the program and connect to opal.ils.unc.edu using your Onyen and password.
It is important that you select SFTP (SSH File Transfer Protocol) during this step.

This is Cyberduck on a Mac.

In the following window, open the folder marked public_html. From here, you can click and drag files and folders into the Cyberduck window to transfer them onto the Opal server. Or, you may use the Upload action.

This is Cyberduck on a Windows laptop.

Remember that when you upload to or download from the server,
you are only transferring copies of the original files.
This is an excellent way to manage files on your remote site.

Task 01e: Install an SFTP tool

When you have successfully installed it on your device, put a screenshot of the installation in your assignments space in Canvas to let us know that you have it.