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How to Transfer Software Between Linux Environments Using SCP and SSH Key

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Aman kant Mahto
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2 min read

Migrating a software environment from one Linux machine to another might sound like a heavy task, but with the help of scp (Secure Copy Protocol) and an SSH key, it’s incredibly straightforward. This quick guide will show you how to securely transfer software from one Linux environment to another.

What is SCP?

scp (Secure Copy Protocol) is a command-line tool that securely transfers files between Linux machines over an SSH connection. It's simple, secure, and easy to use, making it ideal for copying software, configurations, and even entire directories from one system to another.

Steps to Transfer Software Using SCP

Step 1: Obtain the SSH Key

Before you start, make sure you have the private SSH key that allows you to connect to the remote server. This key (usually in .pem or .rsa format) is required for authentication.

For example, if you're using an AWS EC2 instance, you'll typically have a .pem key that you use to connect via SSH.

Step 2: Use the SCP Command

Here’s the command you need to transfer a directory (like a software folder) from one machine to another:

scp -i /path/to/private_key.pem -r /path/to/local_directory user@remote_ip:/path/to/remote_directory

Let’s break this down:

  • -i /path/to/private_key.pem: Specifies the SSH private key for authentication.

  • -r: Recursively copies entire directories, including all files and subdirectories.

  • /path/to/local_directory: The directory you want to transfer from your local machine.

  • user@remote_ip: The username (e.g., ec2-user or root) and the IP address of the remote server.

  • /path/to/remote_directory: The target directory where the files should be copied to on the remote server.

Step 3: Example SCP Command

Let’s say you have a software directory called my_app on your local machine and you want to copy it to a remote EC2 instance.

Use the following command:

scp -i ~/.ssh/my_key.pem -r /home/user/my_app ec2-user@3.110.103.62:/home/ec2-user/

This will:

  • Copy the my_app directory from /home/user/ on your local machine.

  • Place it inside /home/ec2-user/ on the remote server at 3.110.103.62.

Conclusion

That’s it! By following these simple steps, you can securely and efficiently transfer software from one Linux environment to another using scp and an SSH key. Whether you're migrating applications, backing up configurations, or syncing environments, this method provides a quick and reliable way to handle software transfers between Linux systems.