SSHFS: Mounting a Remote File System over SSH

When using Linux, it’s common to work with servers that are not nearby. To handle files and folders on these distant servers, you need a way to reach their files securely. One good way to do this is by connecting to the remote file system over SSH (Secure Shell). SSHFS is a tool that lets you connect to folders on a remote server through SSH, right from your own computer. To get SSHFS, you simply install it using the package manager specific to your Linux distribution. Once installed, SSHFS allows you to access and manage remote directories as if they were local, providing a secure and straightforward way to work with files on remote servers. This secure method uses SSH, a trusted protocol, to ensure that your data remains safe while you handle remote files.

This article will show you how to set up your Linux system so you can use and change files on a remote server just like they were on your own computer.

Prerequisites

Before we begin, you will need the following:

• A Linux-based operating system installed on your local machine.
• A remote server running Linux with SSH access.
• SSH keys or a password for authentication.
• SSHFS (SSH File System) package installed on your local machine.

Step 1: Installing SSHFS

SSHFS is a tool that lets you connect to folders on a remote server through SSH, right from your own computer. To get SSHFS, you simply install it using the package manager specific to your Linux distribution.

• For Debian-based distributions (e.g., Ubuntu), use the following command:

  sudo apt install sshfs 
  

• For RHEL-based distributions (e.g., CentOS), use the following command:

  sudo yum install sshfs 
  

• For Arch-based distributions, use the following command:

  sudo pacman -S sshfs 
  

Step 2: Creating a Mount Point

Before mounting the remote file system, you need to create a mount point on your local machine. This is the directory where the remote file system will be mounted. To create a mount point, use the “mkdir” command:

mkdir ~/remote-files 

Step 3: Mounting the Remote File System

To mount the remote file system, use the “sshfs” command, followed by the remote user, the remote server’s IP address or hostname, the remote directory, and the local mount point:

sshfs [user]@[remote-server]:[remote-directory] [local-mount-point]

For example:

sshfs [email protected]:/home/john/files ~/remote-files 

If you are prompted for a password, enter the remote user’s password. If you have set up SSH keys for authentication, the process will use them automatically.

Step 4: Navigating the Mounted File System

Once the remote file system is mounted, you can access it like any other directory on your local machine. To navigate the remote file system, use standard Linux commands such as “cd”, “ls”, “cp”, “mv”, and “rm”.

For example:

cd ~/remote-files 
ls -l 

Step 5: Unmounting the Remote File System

To unmount the remote file system, use the “fusermount” command with the “-u” option, followed by the local mount point:

fusermount -u [local-mount-point]

For example:

fusermount -u ~/remote-files 

Conclusion

By connecting to a remote file system over SSH in Linux, you can easily access and handle files on remote servers just like they’re on your own computer. This safe and efficient way makes managing remote files simpler and improves your work process. With the steps in this guide, you can now easily set up your system to access remote file systems, making the most of what Linux has to offer.