This page describes the use of standard file transfer programs to transfer files to DS-Filestore.
There are several ways to gain access to your Desktop Services filespace, including:
- direct access from an MCS computer (Windows, Mac or Linux)
- remote mounting of your DS filespace on your own computer or mobile device.
Using secure ftp (sftp) is always preferable and is the only choice for incoming connections, however, it is possible to make outgoing standard ftp connections from an MCS computer.
You can run a file transfer program (e.g. FTP Explorer or Fetch (free on site licence), WinSCP etc.) on an MCS machine, and connect to your own (Departmental) machine, provided this machine runs a suitable server (consult your local computing support staff).
You can run an sftp program on your Departmental or private machine and connect to your DS filespace. For the latter, connect any sftp client (such as Fetch v.5 or later, WinSCP in sftp mode, or sftp on Unix systems) to:
sftp.ds.cam.ac.uk
Note: this service does not support scp access, but various clients described as scp clients, such as WinSCP and pscp (part of the PuTTY suite) can operate in sftp mode and can therefore use the service.
To access society and group filespaces this way, connect to your home filespace and navigate to /ux/SOC.
Downloading files to DS-Filestore from the Internet
Downloading files from the Internet usually only requires a clicking a Download button or link on a web page.
Other files are more easily transferred using specialised FTP programs like FTP Explorer and Fetch. Many files downloaded from Internet sources will be in special encoded or compressed formats.
Transferring a file directly from one user's personal DS filespace to another is potentially quite complicated. If you regularly need to share files with another user or a group of users, you should consider applying for a group filespace on DS-Filestore.
Options for one-off file transfers are:
- Email the file.
- Copy the file to removable media, e.g. a USB stick, CD or DVD disc.
- If you and the recipient are both in the same place, copy the file to the local hard disk of an MCS computer. The recipient can then log on and copy the file back again to their DS filespace.
- Note: The hard disk copy should be deleted once the transfer is complete.
- Direct copying: this requires the owner first to arrange that the recipient has the right to read the file (this step must be done on a Windows or Linux PC), and then the recipient to locate the file and copy it.