File Transfer

This chapter describes how to use SCP (Secure Copy) to transfer files securely between your computer and the Pico G1.

1. Overview

SCP (Secure Copy) is an SSH-based secure file transfer method that copies files or directories between your computer and the Pico G1. Its advantages are:

  • Encrypted transfers, more secure
  • No need to install additional complex services
  • Suitable for quick uploads and downloads
  • Works on Windows, Linux, and macOS

In general, as long as SSH is enabled on the device and your computer can reach it over the network, you can use SCP directly.

2. Prerequisites

Before you start, confirm the following:

  1. The Pico G1 is powered on and running normally.
  2. The device and your computer are on the same network, or the networks are mutually reachable.
  3. You know the Pico G1's IP address.
  4. SSH service is enabled.
  5. You know the login username and password.

For example:

  • Device IP: 192.168.1.100
  • Username: root
  • Target directory: /root/

If you have not yet confirmed the device IP, first check the preceding chapters 04-System Login and 05-Network Configuration.

3. Basic SCP Command Format

Tip

If you prefer not to transfer files from the command line, you can drag and drop files directly in MobaXterm to upload and download.

On Windows 10 / 11, you can usually run scp directly in PowerShell or Command Prompt. If the system reports that the command is not found, first confirm that OpenSSH is installed on the PC.

3.1 Upload a File from Local to the Device

scp -O local-file username@device-ip:remote-path

Example:

scp -O test.txt root@192.168.1.100:/root/

Meaning: Upload test.txt from the current directory on the computer to the /root/ directory on the Pico G1.

-O parameter note

The built-in Windows OpenSSH scp defaults to SFTP mode. The Pico-G1 does not support SFTP, which would cause the transfer to fail, so the -O parameter is required to force Windows to use the SCP protocol for transfer.

3.2 Download a File from the Device to Local

scp -O username@device-ip:remote-file local-path

Example:

scp -O root@192.168.1.100:/root/test.txt ./

Meaning: Download /root/test.txt from the Pico G1 to the current directory on the computer.

3.3 Transferring an Entire Directory

To copy an entire directory, add the -r parameter:

scp -Or local-directory username@device-ip:remote-path

Example:

scp -Or data root@192.168.1.100:/root/

Meaning: Upload the local data folder and all its contents to /root/ on the device.

To download a directory, also use -r:

scp -Or root@192.168.1.100:/root/data ./

3.4 Paths Containing Spaces

If a path contains spaces, wrap it in quotes:

scp -O "D:\my files\hello.txt" root@192.168.1.100:/root/

4. First-Connection Prompt

The first time you connect to the device with SCP, the system may show a prompt like:

The authenticity of host '192.168.1.100' can't be established.
Are you sure you want to continue connecting (yes/no/[fingerprint])?

This is a normal SSH security prompt used to confirm the identity of the target device.

If the IP address is correct, enter:

yes

The system then writes the device fingerprint to the local known-hosts list, and subsequent connections typically no longer prompt.

5. Verifying the Transfer

After a file transfer, you can verify it in the following ways:

5.1 Verify on the Device

After logging in to the device via SSH, run:

ls -l /root/

Or check whether the file exists in the target directory.

5.2 Verify Locally

Check whether the downloaded file has been generated in the local target directory.