WinSCP

Exemplary configuration for an S3 client (WinSCP)

Here you will find an example of how to configure WinSCP, a free S3 client for Microsoft Windows. There are many other S3 client software that can be used for data access. Unfortunately, we cannot assist you in configuring each client. However, the general workflow should not differ too much from client to client, so after working through this guide you can make appropriate adjustments for the S3 client of your choice.

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Based on WinSCP version 6.5.3

1. Installation

Download WinSCP and run the installation program.

For the installation you need admin rights.

Figure 1 - Step 1 Download of the installer.

Alternatively, you can download the portable version, which you can use without installing and thus without admin rights. We will work with the portable version in this tutorial. Therefore there is no extra installation guide. If you need help with the installation, you can consult the WinSCP Documentation.

Figure 2 - Step 1 Download the portable version.

2. Configure a new connection

Start WinSCP via the WinSCP executable:

Figure 3 - Step 2 Start the installer.

Immediately after startup, an input window will open, allowing you to configure a new connection.

Figure 4 - Step 2 Konfiguration einer neuen Verbindung.

Select Amazon S3 in the File protocol field and copy the values listed in the table below into the respective fields of the input mask.

Figure 5 - Step 2 Configuration as S3 Resource.

Please refer to the resource configuration in Coscine or RWTH Publications for the values to be entered. In the case of RWTH Publications, you will find the document ‘Datenzugang_DataAccess.pdf’ for your data record. All relevant data is stored there. Proceed as follows:

1. Transfer protocol: Amazon S3
2. Server address: global.datastorage.nrw
3. Port number: 443
4. Access key ID: Access Key
5. Secret access key: Secret Key
6. Under Advanced --> Environment --> Directories --> Remote directory: Bucket Name
7. Under Advanced --> Environment --> S3 --> URL style: Virtual host
8. Click OK

3. Interacting with files

Select the files you want to interact with and right-click on them. A context menu will open, allowing you to perform various actions on the selected files. The actions include download, edit, rename and delete.

Figure 8 - file access after successful configuration.