Using SFTP to Connect to Mizar

SFTP is defined alternately as Secure File Transfer Protocol or SSH File Transfer Protocol. SFTP clients are interactive file transfer programs, similar to FTP, which perform all operations over an encrypted transport.

SFTP provides secure connectivity while transferring data between a server and a client by encrypting data that is transferred over the network, including username and password information. Although effective in transferring data between systems, other protocols deliver data using clear text, which makes it easy for packet sniffing programs to intercept data passing over a network.

You can connect to mizar.usc.edu to upload and move files to your personal web page and UNIX account. This page provides information about how to use Filezilla and Fetch to connect to mizar.usc.edu via SFTP.

Using Filezilla to Connect to Mizar via SFTP (Windows)

1. From the Start menu, select All Programs, Internet Tools, and then FileZilla.
2. From the File menu, choose Site Manager.



3. Click New Site to add a connection to mizar.usc.edu.

Note: Select SFTP - SSH File Transfer Protocol from the Servertype field and make sure that the Logontype you select is Normal.

4. In the Host field, type mizar.usc.edu.
5. In the Port filed, type 22.
6. In the User field, type your USC username.
7. In the Password field, type your password.
8. Click the New Site entry that now appears under My Sites in the Select Entry list.
9. With that entry highlighted, click Rename and type BCF to name this connection for future use.
10. Click Connect.
11. Once you are connected, the files located on your computer will display in the Local Site window, and the files located on the remote host will display in the Remote Site window.

Note: When connecting to a UNIX host such as Aludra or Almaak, you may see several system files that begin with a period, such as .login or.cshrc. These are configuration files and should not be removed.

Using Fetch to Connect to Mizar via SFTP (Macintosh)

1. From your Applications directory, double-click the Fetch application icon.
2. The New Connection window will appear.



3. In the Hostname field on the New Connection window, type mizar.usc.edu.
4. In the Username field, type your USC username.
5. From the Connect using dropdown menu, select SFTP.
6. In the Password field, type the password for your USC user account.

Note: Do not click Add to keychain, as this can allow anyone using your computer to access your account.

7. Click Connect to initiate the connection.

Note: If you are connecting to a remote host for the first time, you will get a warning that the "authenticity of the host can't be established." Continue with the connection. If you receive this warning any other time you attempt to connect to the same host, please contact the Customer Support Center at 213-740-5555 or email consult@usc.edu.

Getting Help

For more information on using SFTP at USC, please see our SFTP Documentation.