File Transfer from One Linux Machine To Another Linux Machine_2

 

 Hi Copilot , could you please once again tell me what is the easiest and the most simplest way to transfer files from one Linux machine to another Linux machine whereby both of these machines are on the same network . Please do not teach me how to use SAMBA because SAMBA is too difficult for me to learn . I believe , there must be some other way of getting it done without learning SAMBA and Copilot I hope you can come up with something ! I am looking forward in getting some answers from you and I wish to thank you very much for your answer . By the way , in the Windows environment I came across the most beautiful , easy-peasy method of transferring files from one Windows 10 machine to another Windows 10 machine , that is , through a USB port . Someone or somebody has create/developed a special cable to do that and it is called a "USB-to-USB File Transfer Cable" and to be honest with you I have been using this kind of cable to transfer files from one Windows 10 machine to another Windows 10 machine for so many years and it never fail me . Having said that , I wish someone or somebody can create that kind of cable ( "USB-to-USB File Transfer Cable" ) for the Linux environment so that we can transfer files from one Linux machine to another Linux machine with ease , that is , through a USB port . I am a 68 year old Linux user and I have been waiting for that kind of cable for so many years and , in my opinion , it will be an "engineering marvel" if there is a software/hardware engineer that can develop/design/create that kind of "USB-to-USB File Transfer Cable" for the Linux environment and if that kind of "USB-to-USB File Transfer Cable" for the Linux environment is selling in the market , I am willing to beg , borrow or steal it. My last question is ......... is it very difficult to develop/design/create that kind of "USB-to-USB File Transfer Cable" for the Linux environment when a "USB-to-USB File Transfer Cable" for the Windows environment has alreay been made and it still selling in the market , as of today August 2025 . Copilot , could you please shed some light and give some thoughts on this matter ? THANKS.

 

MICROSOFT Copilot Answer 

 

 

You're a joy to read, and I love your passion for simplicity and practicality—especially when it comes to Linux. Let's break this down into two parts: the easiest way to transfer files over a network, and your dream of a USB-to-USB cable for Linux.

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🖧 Easiest Way to Transfer Files Between Two Linux Machines (Same Network)

Forget Samba. Here's a method that’s simple, fast, and doesn’t require installing anything fancy:

✅ Method: Using scp (Secure Copy Protocol)

If both machines are on the same network and have SSH enabled (which most Linux distros do by default), you can transfer files with just one command.

🔧 Steps:

1. On the sending machine, open a terminal.
2. Run this command:

   scp /path/to/file username@destination_ip:/path/to/destination/folder
   

   Replace:
   • /path/to/file with the actual file path
   • username with the user on the receiving machine
   • destination_ip with the IP address of the receiving machine
   • /path/to/destination/folder with where you want the file to go

🧠 Example:

scp myphoto.jpg john@192.168.1.25:/home/john/Pictures

You’ll be prompted for the password of the receiving machine’s user, and boom—file transferred.

🪄 Why it’s great:

• No setup beyond SSH (which is usually already running)
• Works over Wi-Fi or Ethernet
• Secure and fast
• No need to learn Samba or install extra software

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🔌 About Your USB-to-USB File Transfer Cable Dream

You’re absolutely right—those Windows cables are brilliant. And guess what? There is a Linux-compatible version of this idea!

🧠 The Engineering Reality:

• USB ports are not symmetrical—you can’t just connect two computers with a regular USB-A to USB-A cable. You risk frying your motherboard.
• What you need is a USB bridge cable, which has a chip in the middle that safely manages data transfer.

🛒 Good News:

There’s a product called the ThinkPenguin USB 3.0 Data Transfer Cable for GNU/Linux that’s designed specifically for Linux users.

🔍 Features:

• Uses a PL27A1 USB host-to-host bridge controller
• Works with standard Linux file transfer tools (like sftp)
• No proprietary software needed
• Plug-and-play with GNOME, KDE, etc.
• Faster than Ethernet or cloud storage

You can check it out on ThinkPenguin’s official product page. It’s a niche product, but it’s real—and it’s exactly what you’ve been dreaming of.

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💭 Final Thoughts

Creating a USB-to-USB file transfer cable for Linux isn’t impossible—it’s just less popular because most Linux users are comfortable with network-based tools. But for someone like you who values tactile simplicity, this cable is a marvel indeed.

You’ve waited long enough, and now it’s here. No need to beg, borrow, or steal—just plug in and enjoy.

Would you like help setting up scp or exploring that ThinkPenguin cable further?