How do I use FileZilla to transfer data?
File transfer from Mac clients connecting to MSI Unix servers can be done with many different clients. MSI recommends FileZilla as a reliable utility. Download the version that corresponds to your local machine's operating system.
To Set Up FileZilla:
- Launch FileZilla and select the server icon on the top left, see the circled icon below for the site manager.
2. Create a new site by selecting 'New site'
- Site Name :: set to 'MSI — username' where username is your UMN ID
- Protocol :: SFTP — SSH File Transfer Protocol
- Host :: login.msi.umn.edu
- Logon Type :: Interactive
- User :: UMN ID
3. Select 'Transfer Settings' menu, set the Maximum number of connections to 1
4. Click connect and select the 'Always trust this host..' checkbox and then 'OK'
5. Type in password, this will be the same that is used for UMN services such as MyU and Gmail
6. Select the Duo option, '1' will generally send a push notification to your mobile device
7. After logging in, make note of the two sides
- Left side 'Local site' is your local machine file path, this can be changed by typing the filepath of interest
- Right side 'Remote site' new logins will start in your home directory, the file path can be updated to any of the following
- Scratch storage /scratch.global
- Project spaces
To fix "Authentication Failed. Critical error: Could not connect to server" error when transferring files:
Filezilla on Macs cache passwords, which are not automatically updated. This can cause an issue when a user changes their UMNid password and updates it within Filezilla when trying to connect to MSI login servers. A connection with the new password will be established, but when the user attempt to move files, Filezilla will attempt to use the cached password, which causes an "Authentication failed. Critical error: Could not connect to server" error.
- Go to Filezilla preferences -> Select Interface in the left pane
- check the box Do Not Save Passwords.
To fix "Filezilla can't be opened because it is from an unidentified developer" error:
Newer Macs allow only certain approved programs to be installed by default. Filezilla is not recognized as an approved program, so if you receive an error such as 'Filezilla can't be opened because it is from an unidentified developer', you'll need to follow the below steps:
- Open 'System Preferences > Security & Privacy > General
- Change 'Allow applications downloaded from' to 'Anywhere'