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File Transfer

This document covers how to transfer files between your local machine and the cluster.

SCP​

SCP (Secure Copy) is the simplest way to transfer files over SSH.

Copy a File from Local to Cluster​

scp /local/path/to/file USERNAME@192.168.220.75:~/destination/

Copy a Folder from Local to Cluster​

scp -r /local/path/to/folder USERNAME@192.168.220.75:~/destination/

Copy a File from Cluster to Local​

scp USERNAME@192.168.220.75:~/path/to/file /local/destination/

rsync​

rsync is better than SCP for large transfers — it only copies files that have changed, and it can resume interrupted transfers.

Sync a Folder from Local to Cluster​

rsync -avz /local/path/to/folder/ USERNAME@192.168.220.75:~/destination/

Sync a Folder from Cluster to Local​

rsync -avz USERNAME@192.168.220.75:~/path/to/folder/ /local/destination/

Common rsync Flags​

FlagDescription
-aArchive mode — preserves permissions, timestamps, symlinks
-vVerbose — shows files being transferred
-zCompress data during transfer
-PShow progress and allow resuming interrupted transfers
--deleteDelete files on destination that no longer exist on source
tip

Use -P instead of -v for large transfers to see progress:

rsync -azP /local/path/to/folder/ USERNAME@192.168.220.75:~/destination/

SSHFS​

SSHFS mounts the cluster's home directory as a local folder on your machine. This lets you browse and edit remote files as if they were local.

Install SSHFS (One-time Setup)​

# Ubuntu / Debian
sudo apt install sshfs

Mount the Cluster Home Directory​

# Create a local mount point
mkdir -p ~/mnt/cluster

# Mount the remote home directory
sshfs USERNAME@192.168.220.75:/home/USERNAME ~/mnt/cluster

You can now browse the cluster's home directory at ~/mnt/cluster.

Unmount When Done​

# Linux
fusermount -u ~/mnt/cluster
note

SSHFS is convenient for browsing and editing files but is not suitable for large data transfers — use rsync or scp instead. Also note that SSHFS performance depends on your network connection.