As a KDE Plasma user, you may be wondering how to securely share files between machines on your local network. In this article, we’ll cover the steps to install and configure OpenSSH, enable and start the systemctl service, and set up a firewall for secure file sharing using UFW, which comes pre-installed with CachyOS.
Installing and Configuring OpenSSH
To install OpenSSH on your CachyOS machine, open a terminal and run the following command:
sudo pacman -S openssh
Once installed, enable and start the OpenSSH service using the following commands:
sudo systemctl enable sshd
sudo systemctl start sshd
You can check the status of the service using the following command:
sudo systemctl status sshd
Configuring UFW for Secure File Sharing
CachyOS comes with UFW (Uncomplicated Firewall) pre-installed, which makes it easy to configure a firewall for secure file sharing. To allow incoming SSH connections, run the following command:
sudo ufw allow ssh
You can also allow incoming connections on a specific port by running the following command:
sudo ufw allow 22/tcp
Accessing Remote Machines using Dolphin
To access a remote machine on your local network using Dolphin, follow these steps:
- Open Dolphin and navigate to the Network section.
- Click on the “Add Network Location” button.
- Enter the IP address of the remote machine in the format “sftp://10.0.0.122”.
- Enter your username and password in the pop-up window.
- Click “Connect” to access the remote machine’s home directory.
You can also create a permanent bookmark with the Network Folder Wizard and shown in the image below.
Configuring Static IP Addresses on Your Router
To configure static IP addresses on your router, follow these steps:
- Log in to your router’s web interface using the admin credentials provided by your telecom company.
- Navigate to the “LAN Settings” or “Local Network” section.
- Assign a static IP address to each device on your network.
- Save the changes and reboot your router.
- Using a Switch for a Cleaner and More Efficient Network
If you don’t know your router’s admin login credentials, don’t worry! Simply pick up your router and look for a sticker attached to the bottom. This sticker usually contains both the username and password. Use these credentials to log in to your router’s web interface.
Using a Switch for a Cleaner and More Efficient Network
Instead of running multiple cables from your office to the modem, consider using a switch to reduce the number of cables needed. This will make your network look cleaner as the cabling gets reduced to just one network cable.
Wired Connections vs. WIFI
While WIFI is convenient, wired connections offer better performance and saturation of the bandwidth. If possible, use wired connections for your devices.
Conclusion
Secure file sharing between Linux machines is quick and easy to set up. By following these steps, you can configure OpenSSH, UFW, and Dolphin to access remote machines on your local network. Remember to configure static IP addresses on your router and use a switch for a cleaner and more efficient network. Although this article uses CachyOS as an example, the concept applies to all Linux distributions.
