Panic Transmit: The Gold Standard for macOS File Transfers

Overview

Transmit is renowned as the gold standard of macOS file transfer applications. It allows users to upload, download, and manage files across a variety of servers through a user-friendly interface. With support for protocols like FTP, SFTP, and WebDAV, as well as integration with cloud services such as S3, Backblaze B2, Box, Google Drive, Dropbox, and Microsoft Azure, Transmit is a powerful tool for anyone needing to manage files online.

Trial and Subscription

You can download a 7-day free trial of Transmit from Panic's website. After the trial, a full license can be purchased for $45. Alternatively, a subscription can be obtained through the Mac App Store for $24.99 USD/year, though it comes with certain limitations.

Mac App Store Limitations

• Does not support Transmit Disk.
• Excludes the "Open In Terminal" feature.
• Has minor sandboxing-related limitations.
• Will cease functioning if the subscription expires.
• Requires macOS 10.14 (Mojave) or later.

Secure Authentication with SSH Keys

Transmit encourages the use of SSH keys for authentication instead of passwords, which are often insecure. Here's how to generate and install your SSH keys:

Generating SSH Keys on macOS

1. Open Terminal and enter:

ssh-keygen -t rsa -b 4096

1. Follow the prompts to create your key pair.
2. Your keys will be stored in the .ssh folder in your home directory.

Adding the Public Key to Your cPanel Server

To add your public key to your cPanel server, follow these steps:

1. Log in to cPanel and navigate to Home >> Security >> SSH Access.
2. Click Manage SSH Keys.
3. Click Import Key, and paste your public key.
4. Authorize the key by clicking Manage and then Authorize.

Connecting with Transmit

Once your keys are set up, you can connect to your cPanel server using Transmit:

1. Open Transmit.
2. Click the “+” sign or select “Add New Server” from the “Servers” menu.
3. Select SFTP (or FTP if needed) as the protocol.
4. Enter your server's name for easy identification, your domain name, and cPanel username.
5. Leave the password field blank if using SSH keys. If a passphrase is set, you'll be prompted to enter it.
6. Click “Save” or select paths for remote access.

Quick Connect Option

If you prefer not to save the server details, use the “Quick Connect” option for a temporary connection.

Managing Files

Once connected, you can view, edit, upload, and manage files directly through the Transmit interface. Always remember to back up your files before making any edits.

Panic Transmit is a powerful and versatile tool for managing files on macOS, making it an essential application for developers, system administrators, and freelancers alike. Its robust features, coupled with secure SSH key authentication, provide a reliable way to handle file transfers efficiently.

Setting Up SFTP with FileZilla

FileZilla provides a robust interface for SFTP connections, allowing for secure file management. Whether on Windows or macOS, setting up your connection with SSH keys enhances security and ease of access.

Overview

After generating and authorizing your SSH keys, you can create an SFTP profile in FileZilla to securely connect to your server. Follow these steps to set it up effectively.

Creating an SFTP Connection Profile

1. Open the FileZilla client.
2. Go to the top menu, click Edit, and select Settings.
3. In the left menu, expand the Connection section and click on SFTP.
4. Click the [Add keyfile…] button and browse to select your Private Key file.

Setting Up the Site Manager

1. Click on File in the upper toolbar, then select Site Manager.
2. In the popup, click New Site to create a new profile.
3. Rename New Site to a nickname for your server.
4. Change the port to 22 to ensure a secure connection.
5. Fill in the right-hand form under the General tab:
• Host: Enter your domain name (e.g., domain_name.com).
• Port: Set this to 22.
• Protocol: Select SFTP – SSH File Transfer Protocol.
• Login Type: Specify the location of the private key file (in .ppk or .pem format).

Using PuTTY Tools (Windows Only)

If your key file is in OpenSSH format, you need to convert it to PuTTY's PPK format:

1. Download PuTTY tools, specifically Pageant and PuTTYgen.
2. Launch PuTTYgen and select Conversions > Import key.
3. Select your key and enter your passphrase.
4. Save your private key.
5. Run Pageant, right-click the icon in your system tray, and select Add Key to add your private key (PPK) file.

You can now launch FileZilla and connect to your server using SFTP with your username and an empty password. Remember to close Pageant when you're done.

FileZilla on macOS

If you're on a Mac, you can import your key directly without conversion:

1. In FileZilla, go to Settings > Connection > SFTP.
2. Press the Add key file… button and navigate to ~/.ssh.
3. Select your id_rsa key file and click Open.
4. Close the Settings dialog and go to File > Site Manager.
5. Select the site you want to connect to, choose Protocol "SFTP", and set Logon Type "Normal". You can leave the password field blank if your key file doesn't have a password.
6. Click Connect to access your files.

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