A copy protocol defines how files are transferred between computers, either on the same network or across different networks. One example of a copy protocol is the Secure Copy Protocol (SCP).
Secure Copy Protocol (SCP) Explained
SCP, or Secure Copy Protocol, offers a secure way to transfer files. Here's a breakdown:
- Purpose: Safely transfers computer files between a local host and a remote host, or between two remote hosts.
- Security: It's based on Secure Shell (SSH), ensuring that data is encrypted during transfer, protecting it from eavesdropping.
- Origin: SCP is considered a "secure" implementation of the older RCP (Remote Copy Protocol), which lacked encryption.
- Functionality: SCP allows you to:
- Copy files from your local machine to a remote server.
- Copy files from a remote server to your local machine.
- Copy files between two remote servers (in some implementations).
In essence, SCP is a command-line tool and protocol used for securely transferring files over a network, leveraging SSH for encryption and authentication.
