Using sftp to Transfer a Directory?

Question

When I try to use sftp to transfer a directory containing files, I get an error message:

skipping non-regular file directory_name

The directory contains a couple of files and two subdirectories.

What am I doing wrong?

Answer 1

sftp, like cp and scp, requires that when you move a folder (and its contents, obviously), you have to explicitly tell it you want to transfer the folder recursively with the -r option.

So, add -r to the command.

Answer 2

If you can, use sshfs. It's a FUSE filesystem, available on most modern unices, and works with any SFTP server. This is a remote filesystem: it allows you to manipulate remote files (over the SFTP protocol) with the usual utilities.

mkdir /mount/point
sshfs server.example.com:/remote/path /mount/point
ls /mount/point
cp -Rp /mount/point/somedir /local/location
fusemount -d /mount/point

Answer 3

I can only suggest, you use rsync. It is somewhat of an industry standard, when moving files over secure connections.

rsync -alPvz ./source_dir server.com:destination_dir

It is what I've been using for years by now.

(the -a option takes care of things like directory recursion)