Fast unencrypted file transfer with netcat

Normally we copy files over the network using encrypted SSH underneath SCP, SFTP or Rsync. In the case of low power ARM CPUs, this may take an excessively long time since the low power CPU is overtaxed with encryption. It is possible to send files unencrypted up to about 10 to 100 times faster over LAN than SSH-based methods with low power ARM CPUs. netcat. The unencrypted send/receive data over the network can be accomplished using netcat.

Note: The port must be open in the firewall of the receiving PC.

On file-receiving PC, pick an open port e.g. 60123.

nc -l 60123 | tar xv

On the file-sending device, recursively copy “~/myfiles” to the receiving PC at 192.168.1.10 unencrypted.

tar cfv - ~/myfiles | nc 192.168.1.10 60123

On both devices, a list of filenames is shown as they’re copied.