Installing and using Cyberduck to connect to U-M's AFS server

Summary

This article discusses how to install and set up your initial connection to U-M's AFS server using Cyberduck.

Environment

  • macOS
  • Windows

Directions

Installing and setting up your initial connection to U-M's AFS server using Cyberduck

  1. If Cyberduck is not already present in your Applications or Programs folder, from the Managed Software Center (Mac) or Software Center (Windows), search for Cyberduck.
  2. Once you locate it in one of the Software Center, select Install Cyberduck, which will download and install the program on your computer.
  3. If instead you are downloading on a personal computer direct from the Cyberduck website, https://cyberduck.io, follow the instructions in that installer.
  4. Once it is installed, you will need to set up your connection to sftp.itd.umich.edu, in order to access your AFS home directory.  Start up the Cyberduck application, by either double-clicking on the Cyberduck application icon in Windows, or on Mac, locate the program name in the Applications folder, and click on the name to open.
  5. Once open, click the File menu.
  6. Select Open Connection.
  7. In the Connect dialog box, click the drop-down and select SFTP (SSH File Transfer Protocol).
  8. To connect to the AFS server, Server Name should be changed to sftp.itd.umich.edu. The URL will automatically update to sftp://sftp.itd.umich.edu.

Please note: Port 22 should not be changed. If the Port is changed you will not be able to connect.

  1. On the Username line: type in your username. Your username is your U-M uniqname.  Do not enter your email address. If you include ‘@umich.edu’ you will get an error message when you try to connect.
  2. On the Password line: type your UMICH (Level-1) password.
  3. SSH Private Key should remain set to None.
  4. If you are using macOS - Click the box next to Add to Keychain.
  5. Note The Keychain stores sensitive information therefore so username and password don't need to be typed in each time.
  6. Click the Login or Connect button. Cyberduck will connect to the server.
  7. The Unknown Fingerprint message below may appear when you first try to connect to the server, if this happens click Allow to continue.  (To prevent being re-prompted with this message, check the "Always" box.)
  8. A window will pop up prompting to Provide additional login credentials to authenticate with Duo two-factor.  Follow the instructions in the window to enter a passcode, or select the option for Duo push, phone call, or SMS passcodes to complete the login process.

 

Setting up a Bookmark for the sftp.itd.umich.edu site for quicker access

  1. With your connection now open to sftp.itd.umich.edu, click on Bookmark in the menu, and select New Bookmark.
  2. This should automatically fill in the details of your current connection.
  3. The bookmark can then be accessed easily when you open up Cyberduck again from the main page, or the Bookmark menu item.

 

Creating Folders in Cyberduck

Please note: Avoid using spaces in folder names.

  1. To create new folders, click the File menu.
  2. Select New Folder.
  3. Enter the name of your new folder.

 

Viewing Files and Contents

Cyberduck unfortunately doesn’t allow you to view files without downloading them to your local computer.

  1. Select a file you would like to view. Double click the file to download. A message will appear saying download is complete.
  2. Double-click on the file downloaded. There will be 2 copies of the file; one in AFS and another one in the download window.  Note If you have done this twice, it will open up the Overwrite window. Select Continue.
  3. To remove the document and put it in Trash:
    • Windows users - click Remove from the taskbar at the top of the transfer window.
    • macOS - click the file and select move to Trash.

 

Downloading Files and Contents

  1. Cyberduck will allow you to transfer a single file or an entire folder. The Download Folder specifies the folder on your computer that you would like to automatically download.
  2. Select the file or folder you would like to download and drag the contents to your desktop or a location of your choice.  Note You can stop downloading of files by clicking stop above the transfer tab.
  3. Once downloaded you can open the files or folders.

 

Uploading Files

  1. Select Upload from the taskbar in Cyberduck.
  2. From the Open window, select the file that you want to upload.
  3. Click Choose.

Please note: You also have the option to drag and drop files into the SFTP window from your computer. It will open the Transfer window with Cyberduck. The file will be highlighted in the SFTP window.

 

 

Moving Files

The Browser window is the main part of the application window in Cyberduck. The folders and files that you see in the Browser window can be thought of as a Finder (Mac) or Explorer (PC) window for your FTP server. Therefore, transferring files with Cyberduck simply involves dragging files from one window to another. Select File to move.

 

Transferring Files

The Transfers window allows you to track the status of file transfers. The Transfer window is located on the taskbar of Cyberduck. The Transfers window will display:

  • The direction of the transfer (noted with an arrow pointing up or down)
  • The transferred file name
  • The status of the transfer (Transferring, Complete, Incomplete)
  • The size of the file
  • Deleting Files
  • Select File or Folder to delete.
  • Right Click on the file or folder.
  • Select Delete or press delete on your computer.

 

Syncing a locally downloaded folder to your AFS version of that folder

  1. Download the folder to your local computer that you would like to make changes in, and then use that local copy to keep your AFS version up to date.
  2. Make any changes in the folder that you would like to make and save them locally in that folder you downloaded.  (You do not need to have Cyberduck open and active for this step once the folder has been downloaded locally.)
  3. If you do not have Cyberduck open and connected, open up Cyberduck and connect to the sftp.itd.umich.edu server.
  4. From the File… menu, click on Synchronize… which will open up a file browser in the Cyberduck window, for you to navigate to the folder on your local computer to synchronize.  Highlight the folder and click Choose.
  5. A Transfers window will open, and allow you to choose in a dropdown how you would like to keep the files up to date for this transfer.  The options are:
    • Download - Download changed and missing files
    • Upload - Upload changed and missing files
    • Mirror - Download and upload, which keeps the folders in sync in both places.  This can be a good choice if you plan to use this feature on multiple computers with that particular folder.
  6. Once you've made your selection in the dropdown whether to Download, Upload, or Mirror, click Continue.
  7. The Transfers window will show the progress and let you know when the Sync is complete.

 

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