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Data Transfers with SFTP

Transfers can be completed via SFTP through your SSH client by connecting to one of Palmetto's dedicated data transfer nodes. These nodes are set up to ensure data transfer activity does not impact other users.

  • Data Transfer Node 1 - hpcdtn01.rcd.clemson.edu
  • Data Transfer Node 2 - hpcdtn02.rcd.clemson.edu

If one data transfer node is unavailable, try using the other one.

For transfers smaller than 100 MB total, you may transfer them via the login nodes.

SFTP on Windows​

On Windows machines, using the MobaXterm SSH client, the built-in file browser can be used (SCP tab of the side window). Using the Upload (green arrow pointing up) and and Download (blue arrow pointing down) buttons at the top of the SCP tab, you can easily transfer small files between Palmetto and your local computer.

Video demonstration of MobaXTerm file transfers

SFTP on macOS/Linux​

On Unix systems, you can use the scp (secure copy) command to perform file transfers. The general form of the scp command is:

scp <path_to_source> username@hpcdtn01.rcd.clemson.edu:<path_to_destination>
scp <path_to_source> username@hpcdtn02.rcd.clemson.edu:<path_to_destination>

For example, here is the scp command to copy a file from the current directory on your local machine to your /home/username directory on Palmetto (this command is entered into a terminal when not logged-in to Palmetto):

scp myfile.txt username@hpcdtn01.rcd.clemson.edu:/home/username
scp myfile.txt username@hpcdtn02.rcd.clemson.edu:/home/username

... and to do the same in reverse, i.e., copy from Palmetto to your local machine. (again, from a terminal running on your local machine, not on Palmetto):

scp username@hpcdtn01.rcd.clemson.edu:/home/username/myfile.txt .
scp username@hpcdtn02.rcd.clemson.edu:/home/username/myfile.txt .

The . represents the working directory on the local machine.

For folders, include the -r switch:

scp -r myfolder username@hpcdtn01.rcd.clemson.edu:/home/username
scp -r myfolder username@hpcdtn02.rcd.clemson.edu:/home/username