#pragma section-numbers off

This is the chapter of the MemberManual that describes how to transfer files to your home directory, which is kept in an AFS volume.

[[TableOfContents]]

= Using rsync =
`rsync`, coupled with the ssh "shell", is capable of providing file transfers to our servers.  `rsync` is a great way to intelligently synchronize files between computer systems.

Here is an example.  It copies the contents of `~/Maildir` from fyodor to mire, assuming that it is run from fyodor.  It will overwrite any existing files with the same name on both fyodor and mire, but it will not delete files which are present on mire and not fyodor.
{{{
rsync -azr -e ssh --no-g --progress --verbose ~/Maildir/ mire.hcoop.net:Maildir/
}}}

Note the `--no-g` switch.  This is important: AFS has no need for groups, since it has ACLs, and will reject attempts to change the group permission by non-admin users.

`rsync` has many different options available -- consult its man page for further details.

= Using scp and sftp =
If you are interested in transferring files independently, then `rsync` may not be what you want.  `scp` and `sftp` are better at transferring random files, although `scp` does have a recursive option.  But it will not intelligently merge two directory trees (and thus bandwidth is wasted).  See the [:/ScpAndSftp:scp and sftp] subpage to learn how these tools may be utilized.

= Using ftp =
With SSL-enabled FTP, you may transfer files to the `hcoop.net` host on the standard port (21).  On Unix, the `ftp-ssl` package should suffice. For Windows users, try [http://filezilla.sf.net FileZilla], or if necessary, [http://www.coreftp.com CoreFTP] (the LE edition is free).

= Mounting AFS on your local system =
OpenAFS is a cross-platform software package that allows you to access and manipulate files remotely using most any file management software.    This is because the software allows remote filesystems to be mounted as if they are local.  That said, it is possible that you will never need to start an ssh session just to manipulate files.  See the [:/OpenAFS:OpenAFS] subpage to learn how to setup your HCoop share so that you can manage files, edit files, and more, from the comfort of your favorite local software.