Using the Secure File Transfer Protocol (SFTP)
An Example with CoreFTP LE

Stampede, LittleFe, csgrad servers and your own copies of Linux virtual machines all run an ssh server by default (without you doing anything).  For Stampede, LittleFe, and csgrad servers files may be transferred as follows below.  Instructions for linux virtual machines such as BCCD are similar, and detailed instructions for doing so follow after the csgrad/Stampede/LittleFe instructions.

File transfer can be accomplished using a free sftp client. CoreFTP LE is one such free client.  Many other free clients exist.  There is no need to pay for an SFTP client for this class.  This one is available at http://www.coreftp.com/download.html

Use the default install for the CoreFTP LE client.

Instructions for connecting to csgrad servers, LittleFe and Stampede

When you open CoreFTP LE, the program should look as follows below.



As shown below, in the "Site Manager" dialog box, enter the "Host" (either csgradxx.nwmissouri.edu, littlefe.nwmissouri.edu or stampede.tacc.utexas.edu), your "Username", and your "Password".  Change the "Connection" to SSH/SFTP in the dropdown box.



When connecting for the first time, CoreFTP will ask you to store the server's ssh key.  Click yes.



After a connection is established, you should see your local files in the left frame and your remote files in the right frame, as shown below.  It will then be possible to transfer files between the local and remote systems by clicking on the file to transfer and then clicking the blue transfer arrow next to the directory text box.




Testing the SSH Connection to a Running Virtual Machine

Note that your virtual machine must be running for the commands/programs below to work.

In your virtual machine type:

sudo ifconfig

Look at the ip address for your virtual machine under the heading "eth0".  It should be something like 10.0.2.15.

To test that this address works try to log into your virtual machine using PuTTY.

Put the virtual machine's ip address in the "Host Name (or IP Address)" textbox.

Then click connect to login.

The username is bccd for the BCCD operating system.  It may be something else for another operating system such as Ubuntu or CentOS.  The password is the same as the password you used when you set up your virtual machine.

If this works, you should be able to transfer files, too.  If it does not work, continue with the following instructions.

In the VirtualBox menu, click Devices then Network Adapters.   In the Network Adapters dialog, change the "Attached to:" dropdown option from NAT to Bridged Adapter.  Ensure the name of the adapter is the right one.  For example, if you are using a wired ethernet line, choose ethernet, or if you are using wi-fi, choose wi-fi.  Once chosen, click ok.

Reset your BCCD virtual machine.  Once reset, run "sudo ifconfig" again.  If on wifi, your virtual machine ip should be something like 192.168.0.100.  Then, follow the steps below.


Establishing an SFTP Connection to a Running Virtual Machine


Note that your virtual machine must be running for the commands/programs below to work.

Once installed, open the program.

Enter the virtual machine's ip address under "Host / IP / URL", again this is likely something like 10.0.2.15 or 192.168.0.100 and should come from running the "sudo ifconfig" command at the command prompt inside the virtual machine.

The username (unless you have added accounts) is bccd.  Note that the username may be different for another operating system such as Ubuntu or CentOS.

The password is the password you set up for the bccd user.

Change the "Connection" to "SSH/SFTP" in the dropdown box.

Click connect.

Provided a connection is made, you should see files from your local machine on the left hand side of the CoreFTP LE window and files your virtual machine on the right hand side of the CoreFTP window.

Files can be transferred back and forth between local and virtual machine.