Mounting Remote Filesystems Over SSH with `sshfs`

A Handy Guide to Mounting Remote Filesystems Over SSH with `sshfs`

For Linux users, accessing files across different systems is a common requirement, especially for those who manage servers or use multiple machines connected over a network. While there are various methods to access or transfer files between machines, mounting a remote filesystem over SSH using sshfs offers a flexible, secure and simple way to work with remote files as if they were local. In this guide, we'll delve into how to utilize sshfs to mount remote filesystems over SSH, making your workflow more integrated and efficient.

What is `sshfs`?

SSH Filesystem (sshfs) is a user-space file system client that allows you to mount a remote filesystem using Secure Shell (SSH). It leverages the SFTP (SSH File Transfer Protocol) subsystem, which provides a secure connection to manipulate remote files securely over an encrypted connection. The utility of sshfs lies in its ability to seamlessly integrate remote resources into your local filesystem, enabling standard applications and commands to operate on remote files directly.

Prerequisites

Before we start, ensure you have the following: 1. A local machine running Linux. 2. Access to a remote server where you have SSH access. 3. sshfs installed on your local machine. If sshfs isn't installed, you can typically install it from your distribution’s package manager. For example, on Ubuntu-based systems, you can use: bash sudo apt-get install sshfs

How to Mount a Remote Filesystem Using `sshfs`

Creating a Mount Point

First, create a directory on your local system where you will mount the remote filesystem. This could be anywhere you have permission to write, but for the sake of example, let’s create it in your home directory.
```
mkdir ~/remoteDir
```
Mounting the Remote Filesystem

With sshfs, you can mount the remote directory by running:
```
sshfs [user]@[host]:[remote_directory] [local_mount_point]
```
For instance, if your username is alice, the remote host is example.com, and you want to access the remote directory /home/alice/docs, you would run:
```
sshfs alice@example.com:/home/alice/docs ~/remoteDir
```
This command mounts the remote directory /home/alice/docs to your local directory ~/remoteDir.
Accessing and Manipulating Files

Once mounted, you can access and manipulate files in the ~/remoteDir as if they were on your local machine. Open, edit, save, and manage files using your local tools and editors.
Unmounting the Filesystem

When finished, it's important to unmount the remote filesystem properly to ensure all data is correctly syncronized. Use the following command:
```
fusermount -u ~/remoteDir
```

Tips and Tricks

Persistent Mounting: If you need the mount to persist across reboots, consider adding an entry in the /etc/fstab or using a systemd service for a cleaner setup.
SSH Key Authentication: For smoother operations without entering your password every time, set up SSH key authentication for logging into the remote server without manual intervention.
Options and Performance: sshfs includes several options that you can use to optimise performance, such as caching methods and specifying bandwidth limits. Check man sshfs for detailed usage.

Conclusion

sshfs offers an incredibly convenient method for accessing remote filesystems directly from your file manager or terminal, fully leveraging the security of SSH without the overhead of more complex network file systems like NFS or SMB. Whether you're handling administrative tasks, accessing documents, or running backup scripts, sshfs can simplify the way you interact with remote servers. Start incorporating it into your work routine for streamlined, secure file management across your networked machines.

A Handy Guide to Mounting Remote Filesystems Over SSH with sshfs

What is sshfs?