mjhjmtu

sftp, like cp and scp, requires that when you copy a folder (and its contents, obviously), you have to explicitly tell it you want to transfer the folder recursively with the -r option.

So, add -r to the command.

I can only suggest, you use rsync. It is somewhat of an industry standard, when moving files over secure connections.

rsync -alPvz ./source_dir server.com:destination_dir

It is what I've been using for years by now.

(the -a option takes care of things like directory recursion)

You may also be able to use use scp. The general format is

scp -rp sourceDirName username@server:destDirName

scp means "secure copy". The flags are

• 
  -r recurse into subdirectories


• 
  -p preserve modification times

I believe the rest of the items are self-explanatory

If rsync is not an option, I would next recommend lftp:

lftp sftp://user@host.com/path/path/

Then use the mirror command to recursively upload, like this:

mirror -R

(Note that recursion is the default. The -R is for reverse — to make the mirror command upload instead of download. Try adding --dry-run to do a trial to make sure it's doing what you expect.)

Or to upload without recursion:

mirror --no-recursion

You have to cd into the directories you want to mirror. Works great!

If you can, use sshfs. It's a FUSE filesystem, available on most modern unices, and works with any SFTP server. This is a remote filesystem: it allows you to manipulate remote files (over the SFTP protocol) with the usual utilities.

mkdir /mount/point
sshfs server.example.com:/remote/path /mount/point
ls /mount/point
cp -Rp /mount/point/somedir /local/location
fusemount -d /mount/point

This works for me:

1) connect via sftp to remote host

2) change into the remote directory you wish to copy. (Example: cd Music)

3) change to the local directory you wish to copy stuff to. (Example: lcd Desktop)

4) Issue this command: get -r *

It's a bit of a kludge but what works for me is to:

1. Use ssh to login to the remote machine


2. Use sftp from the remote machine to your local machine


3. Then use the get command with the -r option to move the directory and all of its files.