SFTP Using Fetch 5.0

Fetch 5.0 is an SFTP client for the Apple Macintosh. Use Fetch to transfer files between a Macintosh computer and your UNIX account.

Because the SFTP standard uses complicated UNIX prompt commands such as put, get, and pwd, Fetch provides Mac OS X users with an easy-to-use interface to execute UNIX commands in a graphical user interface (GUI).

Note: Fetch 5.0 does not support versions of Mac OS X prior to 10.2.4. If you are running an older version of Mac OS X, you must first upgrade your operating system to use Fetch 5.0. If you cannot upgrade your operating system, please reference our Command Line SFTP Mac OS X documentation.

Getting Started

To download Fetch 5.0, go to the USC Downloads Page, click Mac OS X downloads, select Fetch 5.0, and follow the installation instructions.

Connecting to a Remote Host

1. Start the Fetch 5.0 client. From your Applications directory, double-click the Fetch application icon. The New Connection dialog box displays (see figure 1).

   
   Figure 1: The New Connection Dialog Box

2. In the Hostname field, type the name of the host you want to connect to.
3. In the Username field, type your USC username.
4. From the Connect using dropdown menu, select SFTP.
5. 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.

6. If you need to enter additional information, such as a non-standard port number, click the blue arrow button to expand your options.
7. Click Connect to initiate the connection. The Fetch Connection window displays (see figure 2).

   
   Figure 2: The Fetch Connection Window

   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, but if you get the warning any other time you attempt to connect to the same host, contact the Customer Support Center at 213-740-5555 or email consult@usc.edu.

   Note: Fetch 5.0 allows you to create shortcuts for remote hosts that you connect to on a regular basis. To create a Fetch shortcut, from the Shortcuts menu, select New Shortcut. Complete the fields in the New Shortcut dialog box.

Transferring Files

To download files from the remote host to the local host (your computer):

1. From the Fetch Connection window, click the file or folder you wish to download so that it is highlighted.
2. Click the Get toolbar button in the Fetch Connection window. Your file or files will copy to the default download directory specified in the Fetch preferences.

To upload files from the local host (your computer) to the remote host:

1. From the Fetch Connection window, navigate to the directory on the remote host that you want to upload your file to.
2. Click the Put button in the Fetch toolbar. The Put file dialog box will display (see figure 3).

   
   Figure 3: The Put File Dialog Box

3. Locate the file that you want to upload to the remote host and click the Put button. The file transfers to the remote host.

Tips:

• Select multiple files or folders by holding down the command key (Apple key) while clicking.
• You can drag and drop files directly in the Fetch user interface to initiate a file transfer.

Closing SFTP Connections

To close SFTP connections, from the File menu, select Close. You can also click the red Close button in the top left-hand corner of the Fetch Connection window to close the connection.

Note: Remember to close Fetch connections when using Fetch from a public computer, such as those found in ITS computing centers, to prevent others from accessing your account.

Getting Help

For Fetch 5.0-related questions, visit the Fetch Vendor Site, call the Customer Support Center at 213-740-5555, or email consult@usc.edu.