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Solving 'Permission Denied' Issues During File Transfer in Amazon AWS with FileZilla

As data scientists or software engineers, we often encounter the need to transfer files from our local machines to cloud-based servers. One of the platforms that offer such services is Amazon Web Services (AWS). The task of file transfer, though seemingly simple, can at times be complicated by issues such as ‘Permission Denied’. In this post, I will guide you through how to resolve this issue using FileZilla.
By Saturn Cloud | | Miscellaneous

Solving ‘Permission Denied’ Issues During File Transfer in Amazon AWS with FileZilla

As data scientists or software engineers, we often encounter the need to transfer files from our local machines to cloud-based servers. One of the platforms that offer such services is Amazon Web Services (AWS). The task of file transfer, though seemingly simple, can at times be complicated by issues such as ‘Permission Denied’. In this post, I will guide you through how to resolve this issue using FileZilla.

What is FileZilla?

Before we dive into the solution, let’s briefly describe what FileZilla is. FileZilla is a free, open-source software that allows for file transfer protocol (FTP). It supports FTP, SFTP, and FTPS and is available in both client and server versions.

The ‘Permission Denied’ Issue

When transferring files between your local machine and your AWS instance, you may encounter a ‘Permission Denied’ error. This error typically arises due to incorrect file permissions, incorrect login credentials, or issues related to the security group settings in your AWS instance.

How to Resolve the ‘Permission Denied’ Issue

Step 1: Verifying AWS Instance Details

Ensure you’re using the correct login credentials (username and password or SSH key pair). For EC2 instances, the username can vary depending on the AMI creator. Common usernames include ‘ec2-user’, ‘ubuntu’, ‘root’, etc. For RDS, it’s typically the master username you set up.

Step 2: Checking File Permissions

If you’re using an SSH key pair, ensure that your private key file (*.pem) has the correct permissions. It should be readable only by you. You can set this using the chmod command:

chmod 400 /path/my-key-pair.pem

For the files you’re transferring, ensure that your user has read access on your local machine and write access on the AWS instance.

Step 3: Adjusting Security Group Settings

Check your instance’s security group rules. For FileZilla to work, you need to allow inbound SSH (port 22) from your IP address. If your IP address changes frequently, consider using a range that covers all possible addresses, but be aware of the potential security implications.

Step 4: Using the Correct FileZilla Settings

In FileZilla, under ‘Edit’ > ‘Settings’ > ‘SFTP’, add your private key file. Enter your instance’s public DNS name as the host, the correct username, and port 22.

Conclusion

The ‘Permission Denied’ issue can be a stumbling block when transferring files to AWS instances using FileZilla. However, by ensuring the correct AWS instance details, checking file permissions, adjusting security group settings, and using the correct FileZilla settings, you can resolve this issue.

Remember, while the steps outlined above are a general guide, the specific solution may vary depending on your individual setup and the nature of the issue. In case of persistent problems, consider reaching out to AWS Support.

Keywords

  • Amazon AWS
  • FileZilla
  • File transfer
  • Permission Denied
  • AWS instance
  • Security group settings
  • SSH key pair
  • File permissions

References

  1. AWS Documentation: Troubleshooting Connecting to Your Instance
  2. FileZilla Official Documentation

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