Mount Remote Directories with SSHFS on Ubuntu 24.04
SSHFS lets you mount remote directories on Ubuntu 24.04, making files on another computer appear as if they are on your own.
SSHFS stands for SSH File System. It uses your existing SSH connection to give you direct access to files stored on a remote server, treating them just like local files.
This means you can open and edit files on that remote computer using your favorite applications on Ubuntu 24.04, like LibreOffice or VS Code, without needing to download and re-upload them manually. For instance, you could easily edit your website’s files directly from your desktop.
All data transfers are protected by SSH encryption, keeping your information safe.
Install SSHFS via `sudo apt install sshfs`, create a mount point with `mkdir ~/sshmnt`, and then mount the remote directory using `sshfs user@remote_host:/remote/path ~/sshmnt`. Unmount with `fusermount -u ~/sshmnt`.
Install SSHFS on the client
The SSHFS program on Ubuntu 24.04 lets you view files from another computer on your own computer. To get the SSHFS program, open your terminal and type `sudo apt install sshfs`. After SSHFS installs, create a new folder on your computer, for example `mkdir ~/sshmnt`, which will be the location where the remote files appear.
Install SSHFS by running the command below.
sudo apt install sshfs
After installation, create a mount point for the remote directory on your client computer with the command below.
mkdir ~/sshmnt
Then, mount the remote directory using the SSHFS command, which looks like this:
sshfs svr1.example.com:/home/richard/october ~/sshmnt
- svr1.example.com => remote server with SSH running
- /home/richard/october => remote directory you want to mount
- ~/sshmnt => local mount point created on the client
After mounting the remote directory, you can list the filesystem by running the command below.
df -hT
An output similar to the one below will show the remote directory as mounted.
ilesystem Type Size Used Avail Use% Mounted on
tmpfs tmpfs 336M 2.0M 334M 1% /run
/dev/sda2 ext4 49G 9.2G 38G 20% /
tmpfs tmpfs 1.7G 0 1.7G 0% /dev/shm
tmpfs tmpfs 5.0M 8.0K 5.0M 1% /run/lock
svr1.example.com:/home/richard/october fuse.sshfs 40G 9.7G 28G 27% /home/richard/sshmnt
You should also see the mount point in the File Manager.
Unmount
After you finish working with files from another computer using SSHFS on Ubuntu 24.04, it’s important to unmount the directory. This safely disconnects the remote files. Make sure you’re not inside the mounted folder in your terminal, then run ‘fusermount -u ~/sshmnt’ to disconnect.
fusermount -u ~/sshmnt
That should do it!
Conclusion:
SSHFS provides a convenient and secure method to access remote directories seamlessly on your local Ubuntu system. Here’s a recap of the main points:
- Easy Setup: SSHFS can be installed quickly with a simple command and minimal configuration.
- Direct Access: Once mounted, you can interact with remote files as if they were local, enhancing ease of use.
- Secure Connection: SSHFS relies on SSH to ensure your data transfer remains safe and encrypted.
- Flexible Usage: It’s suitable for various applications, whether for document editing, data processing, or file management.
- Simple Unmounting: You can easily disconnect from the remote directory when done, maintaining cleanliness in your system.
Using SSHFS, you can optimize your workflow when working with remote servers, making file access efficient and secure.
Is SSHFS deprecated?
A heads-up: SSHFS is no longer actively maintained, as its main development repository has been archived. SSHFS requires Linux. Libfuse also requires Linux.
Is SSHFS any good?
SSHFS can be very handy when working with remote filesystems, especially if you only have SSH access to the remote system. What’s more, no special software needs to be installed on either your computer or the remote server. SSH needs to be active on your system.
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About the Author
Richard
Tech Writer, IT Professional
Richard, a writer for Geek Rewind, is a tech enthusiast who loves breaking down complex IT topics into simple, easy-to-understand ideas. With years of hands-on experience in system administration and enterprise IT operations, he’s developed a knack for offering practical tips and solutions. Richard aims to make technology more accessible and actionable. He's deeply committed to the Geek Rewind community, always ready to answer questions and engage in discussions.
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