Secure File Transfer Protocol (SFTP) lets you move files from one computer to another. You might use SFTP to upload HTML files to the Nicholas web server for web publishing or retrieve documents from your Nicholas account. The Nicholas SFTP server is accessible from anywhere on the Internet and uses strong encryption to protect your data and password, making it an excellent way to access your data from your home PC.

OIT distributes and supports the SFTP software programs SSH.com (for Windows), F-Secure (for Windows), and MacSFTP (for Macintosh). To download site license software, you need a Duke NetID and password.

SSH.com (for Windows)

To launch the application, do one of the following:

Double-click the SSH Secure Shell File Transfer Client icon on your desktop.

Click Start > Programs > SSH Secure Shell > Secure File Transfer Client.

Logging into your Nicholas directory

1. After starting SSH Secure File Transfer, select either File-Quick Connect or Connect.
2. A Connect to Remote Host box opens. Fill in the following information:

Host Name: sftp.nicholas.duke.edu
User Name: your NetID
Port Number: 22
Authentication Method: Password

3. Select Connect. If this is the first time you are using the client on your computer a Host Identification box will appear. Answer Yes to the question Do you want to save the new host key to the local database?
4. Enter your NetID password in the Enter Password box and select OK or hit Enter.
5. An Add Profile box will appear. Enter a name for the profile and select Add to Profiles. This will save the connection information and will allow you to log in quicker the next time you want to connect.
6. A connection with the Nicholas server opens. The window on the left displays everything on the local system's hard drive under the header Local Name. The window on the right displays everything on the remote system under the header Remote Name.

Uploading files

1. In the Local Name window on the left, click to select the file(s) you wish to upload. (To select multiple files, Ctrl-click the files.)
2. In the Remote Name window on the right, specify where to save the file.
3. To transfer the local file(s), either drag and drop the file(s) from the Local Name window to the appropriate folder in the Remote Name window or right-click on the local file(s) and select Upload.

Downloading files

1. In the Remote Name window, click to select the file(s) you wish to download. (To select multiple files, Ctrl-click the files.)
2. In the Local Name window, specify the directory where you are saving the file.
3. To transfer the remote file(s), either drag and drop the file(s) from the Remote Name window to the appropriate folder in the Local Name window or right-click on the remote file(s) and select Download.

MacSFTP (for Macintosh)

To launch MacSFTP, do one of the following:

• Double-click the MacSFTP icon on your desktop.
• Find the MacSFTP Carbon folder, then double-click on the MacSFTP Carbon icon.

Logging into your Nicholas account

1. The first time you launch MacSFTP, the SFTP Login window opens. If it does not, choose File > New Connection.
2. Fill in the information listed below:

Host name: sftp.nicholas.duke.edu
Login: your NetID
Password: your NetID password
Path: leave blank to default to your home directory

3. Click OK. A connection with the remote host computer opens.

Uploading files

In the MacSFTP remote host window, open the folder on the remote computer where you want to save your file.

• Drag and drop the desired local file into the MacSFTP window. Your file is automatically uploaded.
• Or select Remote > Put Files > Directories and follow the steps below:

1. A Select files and directories to upload box will appear.
2. Browse to the desired file to upload.
3. Either highlight the desired file and select Choose or double-click the desired file.
4. The desired file is uploaded.

Downloading files

1. Select the file on the remote computer or server that you wish to download.
2. Select Remote > Get Files > Directories.
3. A Download file as box will appear.
4. Browse to the directory that you would like to download the selected file to and select Save.

Or simply drag and drop the selected file on the server to your desktop.

To quit MacSFTP, from the File menu, choose Quit.