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Implicit SSL FTP Clients with Scripting?

Posted by Cliff on from the an-itch-that-might-need-scratching dept.

malcomvetter asks: "I need a command line FTP client that supports 'Implicit SSL', sports some kind of scripting interface, and runs on Win32. Any suggestions? So far, I have only found GUI versions such as FileZilla." I remember once needing a scripting FTP client long ago. It took me a long time, but I finally found one that had a workable but unintuitive interface. Have scripting FTP clients become more prevalent or is your best bet using something flexible with network bindings (like Python or Perl) to get the job done?

3 of 43 comments (clear)

  1. cURL? by forsetti · · Score: 4, Interesting

    Try cURL. Available for every platform under the sun, and does almost everything.

    --
    10b||~10b -- aah, what a question!
  2. expect is great for this by monkeyserver.com · · Score: 4, Informative
    expect is awesome for scripting, especially where the interface isn't completely predictable. It basically sends out commands, waits for certain replies back, then responds them, all according to script your right.

    Some cool things, autoexpect, this will basically record a session you do (like the script command), and right an expect script for it. Also if you use the -p (I think, check the man) option, it won't make the prompts strict, just in case there is a datestamp in there.

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    http://monkeyserver.com --- weeeeee
  3. What about SSH certs and Rsync? by madstork2000 · · Score: 4, Interesting

    I have to transfer files and directories across several locations, and I do it automatically using rsync and SSH certificates.

    SSH is configured to only allow transfers with a valid certificate from a valid IP address. There is no pass-phrase on the certs.

    Copying / syncing directories is a breeze:

    rsync -ae ssh server1:/copy/this/directory/ /to/this/directory

    No fuss. I have not tried rsync on win32, but I am sure it exists. I do a lot of web development, but have not used a ftp client on a regular basis in years. My sites are backed up to remote servers using this method, and new sites are uploaded using rsync as well.

    Its fast, easy to use and saves on bandwidth, as only changes are transfered. With FTP the whole file is always moved. SO bandwidth savings alone may be worth looking into this solution.

    -MS2k