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ssh vs scp

The difference between connecting to a remote shell and copying files over SSH.

SSH is the remote login protocol and command channel. SCP uses SSH transport to copy files. They are related, but they solve different tasks.

Use SSH When

You want to log into a remote machine or run remote commands.

You need an interactive shell or remote execution context.

You want to copy files between systems over SSH.

You need a quick ad hoc transfer without opening an interactive session.

SSH connects. SCP copies.

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