Solving “No Such File or Directory” Error When Using “put” Command in SFTP

Secure File Transfer Protocol (SFTP) is a secure method for transferring files between local and remote servers. However, while using the put command in SFTP to upload files, you may encounter the “No Such File or Directory” error. This article will guide you through the steps to troubleshoot and resolve this error.

Understanding the ‘put’ Command in SFTP

The put command is used in SFTP to upload a file from the local machine to the remote server. The general syntax is put localfile [remotefile]. Here, localfile is the file on your local machine that you want to upload, and remotefile is the name you want the file to have on the remote server. If remotefile is not specified, the file will keep its original name.

Common Causes of the Error

The “No Such File or Directory” error typically occurs due to one of the following reasons:

1. The file you’re trying to upload doesn’t exist in the specified local path.
2. You don’t have the necessary permissions to read the file on your local machine.
3. The directory where you’re trying to upload the file on the remote server doesn’t exist.
4. You don’t have the necessary permissions to write to the specified directory on the remote server.

Troubleshooting Steps

Step 1: Check Your Current Local Path

First, confirm that you’re in the correct local directory where the file resides. You can do this using the lpwd command, which stands for “print local working directory”. This command displays the current directory on your local machine.

Step 2: Verify the File’s Existence

Next, use the lls command to list the files in your local directory. This command should display the file you’re trying to upload. If it doesn’t, the file either doesn’t exist or is in a different directory.

Step 3: Change to the Correct Local Path

If the file is not in the current directory, you’ll need to navigate to the correct directory using the lcd command, which stands for “change local directory”. For example, lcd ~/Desktop will move you to the Desktop directory.

Step 4: Upload the File

Once you’re in the correct directory, try uploading the file again using the put command. For example, put blankfile.txt.

Step 5: Check Your Current Remote Path

If you encounter a permissions error, use the pwd command to check your current path on the remote server. Make sure you have write permissions in that directory.

Step 6: Change to a Permissive Directory

If you’re in a restricted directory on the remote server, use the cd command to navigate to a directory where you have write permissions.

Step 7: Check Local File Permissions

Another potential issue could be the file permissions on your local machine. Use the lls -l blankfile.txt command to check the permissions. Ensure that your current user has read access to the file.

Step 8: Double-Check the File Name and Path

Finally, if you’re still facing the “no such file or directory” error, double-check the file name and path. Use the lls Desktop/blankfile.txt command to confirm that the file is present in the correct location.

Conclusion

The “No Such File or Directory” error when using the put command in SFTP can be frustrating, but by following these troubleshooting steps, you should be able to resolve it. Always ensure that you’re in the correct directory and that you have the necessary permissions to read and write files. If you continue to experience issues, consider reaching out to your system administrator or the server host for further assistance.