SSH + file transfer to remote linux server

[Gayatree]

Hi,

I have to transfer files to a remote Linux server. There were some threads about the Download tool, but it seems to require a URL field within the file(?) Our files won't have that. Is there a way we could simply ssh into the server and run a remote scp command?

Thanks,

Gayatree

[MichalM]

@Gayatree 

You can leverage the Run Command tool to achieve this. Use Alteryx to create a .bat file dynamically which then calls a third party executable such as plink.exe to ssh into the Linux server and copy the file across.

[Gayatree]

@MichalM ,

Thank you! Will look into this. Do you have any examples I could peruse in the meantime?

[MichalM]

@Gayatree 

I've attached an example. Here're the logical steps you need to follow

1. Save the file you would like to upload in a location that you can reference downstream in your workflow.

I use a combination of the Formula tool and the dynamic output functionality of the Output data tool to achieve this

- Use the Formula tool to define the output path

- Use this to overwrite the output path and remove the field from the output file in the process

2. Generate your SCP script (in case it needs to be dynamic)

I use a batch macro to do this because I want to make sure that the script is written before I try to use it in my plink command.

- I use the Summarise tool and Group by the output path to get a single row with the path. I then pass it into the macro through the Control parameter

- I then use this to update a value in my script - the placeholder is entered as a header of a Text Input tool

scp FILEPATH michalm@servername.alteryx.com://remote/directory

- Once updated, I save the file as scp.txt which is then referenced as the command file for the plink command

- I use the Append fields tool to create a dependency - making sure that the scp command is updated before I pass the plink command out of the macro. You can download plink.exe from here.

c:\commands\plink.exe  -ssh servername.alteryx.com -l michalm -pw @lteryx -m  c:\commands\scp.txt

3. Save the plink command as a .bat file and execute it using the Run Command tool 

- The Output configuration of the Run Command tool allows you to save the data flowing into the tool (plink command in our case) as a .bat file. 

- The Command portion is used to reference the .bat file which is created on the fly as defined above

I hope it makes sense.

[Aditia]

Hi @MichalM ,

I am trying same. I just want to copy a file from remote server and write it on snowflake/tableau. I see in your design flow you have used many extra things. Is there any element which just ssh and copy. Also I tried to implement your flow. however I am seeing can't access folder and nowhere I am providing authentication to ssh the server. 

Can you please help me???

[Aditia]

@MichalM Any luck??