How to to securely transfer files or folders between two Manjaro PCs over SSH.

May 30, 2025 3 min read 457 words Blog
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To transfer files or folders from one PC to another over SSH from scratch, you'll need to ensure both PCs are properly set up for SSH communication.

To transfer files or folders from one PC to another over SSH from scratch, you'll need to ensure both PCs are properly set up for SSH communication. Here’s a step-by-step guide to get you started, focusing on Manjaro Linux or similar distributions:

1. Install SSH (if not already installed)

First, ensure SSH is installed on both PCs. Manjaro usually comes with SSH pre-installed, but if it doesn't, you can install it using the package manager.

  • Open a terminal.
  • Update your package list:
    sudo pacman -Syu
  • Install the OpenSSH package:
    sudo pacman -S openssh

2. Start and Enable SSH Service

After installing, you need to start and enable the SSH service to ensure it's running and will start automatically on boot.

  • Start the SSH service:
    sudo systemctl start sshd
  • Enable the SSH service to start on boot:
    sudo systemctl enable sshd

3. Configure SSH (Optional)

The default SSH configuration should work fine for most users, but you can customize settings by editing /etc/ssh/sshd_config. For example, you might want to change the default SSH port (22) to enhance security.

  • Edit the SSH configuration file (using nano or your preferred text editor):
    sudo nano /etc/ssh/sshd_config
  • Make any desired changes, like altering the Port directive to change the SSH port.
  • Save the file and exit the editor.
  • Restart the SSH service to apply changes:
    sudo systemctl restart sshd

4. Check the IP Address and Username

You'll need the IP address and username for the remote PC to use scp or rsync.

  • Find the username: Type whoami in the terminal.
  • Find the IP address: Type ip addr to see your IP address. Look for an entry under inet beside your network interface.

5. Transfer Files or Folders

With SSH set up on both PCs, you can now use scp or rsync to transfer files or folders.

  • Using scp to transfer a folder: Add the r flag for recursive transfer.
    scp -r /path/to/local/folder username@remote_host:/path/to/remote/directory
  • Using rsync for more detailed progress and efficiency:
    rsync -avzh --progress /path/to/local/folder username@remote_host:/path/to/remote/directory

Replace username@remote_host with the actual username and IP address or hostname of the remote PC, and adjust the source and destination paths according to your needs.

6. Confirm Transfer

  • For scp, use the v flag for verbose output to see the transfer progress.
  • For rsync, the -progress flag provides detailed progress information.

Security Considerations

  • Firewall Settings: Ensure that any firewall on either PC allows connections on the SSH port (default 22, or whatever port you've configured).
  • SSH Key Authentication: For added security, consider setting up SSH key-based authentication instead of using passwords.
  • Regular Updates: Keep your SSH package and system updated for security patches.

Following these steps will enable you to securely transfer files or folders between two Manjaro PCs over SSH.

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