17.10. Uploading Files to the Server

Problem

You need to transfer some files to the server—perhaps a new NIC driver, or replacing a corrupted drive controller, or replacing a hopelessly messed-up iptables configuration. This is not Ethernet, so you can't use scp, or drag-'n'-drop in a file manager. What do you do?

Solution

Remember the olden days of Bulletin Board Services, and Xmodem, Ymodem, Zmodem, and Kermit file transfer protocols? Because you're using Minicom, you'll need one of these. Zmodem is the best choice, as it has built-in error correction, and is the most reliable.

First, install the lrzsz package on the server; this has the same package name for both RPM and Debian packages.

Then, log in to the server from the remote console with Minicom. Type this command on the server to tell it to wait to receive a file:

	[server@remote:~]$ rz
	rz waiting to receive.**|B0100000023be50

Then hit Alt-A, Z, and then S to bring up Minicom's file-sending menu. First, choose Zmodem protocol:

	--[Upload]---
	| zmodem    |
	| ymodem    |
	| xmodem    |
	| kermit    |
	| ascii     |
	-------------

Then, select the file or files you want to upload:

	---------[Select one or more files for upload]------
	|Directory: /home/carla                            |
	| [..]                                             |
	| [.AbiSuite]                                      |
	| [.cddb]                                          |
	| [.cfagent]                                       |
	| [.config]                                        |
	| [.fonts]                                         |
	|      ( Escape to exit, Space to tag )            |
	||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
	  [Goto]  [Prev]  [Show]  [Tag]  [Untag] [Okay]

You don't have to navigate the menu if you already know the filename because you can type in the filenames by hitting "Okay" without tagging any files, which brings up this menu:

	-------------------------------------
	|No file selected - enter filename: |
	|>                                  |
	-------------------------------------

To exit rz on the server, hit Ctrl-X. It might take a few tries.

Discussion

Files are transferred to the current working directory on the server, so be sure you're in the directory you want the files to land in.

See Also