Hi All,

I wrote a simple script in "Expect" for SFTP. I need to send a file every day to client site. Every thing is automated but it needs the password to work. I was told I should use "Except" so I don't need to enter the password.

I never wrote any script in Except, I am not sure if this is correct. But when I run it, still asks for the password. Please advise.


#!/usr/local/bin/expect
spawn sftp -b infofile user@prod
expect "xyzpasswd:"
send "shhh!\n";
interact

On the infofile... This is what I have.

On the lcd /home/citi
put abc012109.txt
quit

It is Expect, not Except. Spelling is important in IT!

Try using autoexpect to generate your script. It records your session so that you can run it automatically the next time. Modify the generated script to remove any unnecessary stuff (usually it records too much).

Incidentally, if you are using SFTP, why not just use a public/private key pair for the authentication - no password required?

Sorry for the typo. I did spell it correctly in the script. I am going to try the key authentication, I have to check with the other administrator, and he is not friendly guy. But I guess I have no choice.

Here's a sample script :

#!/usr/bin/expect

set timeout -1    # selects indefinite time to wait for login / response
                        # modify to 10, for instance, if you want the script to wait
                        # for 10 seconds to connect to the host.

set user user
set pass your-pass
set host the-host-name

spawn sftp [include whatever options you need here] $user@$host
expect assword:

send "$pass\r"
expect sftp>

send "command\r" # for example, hardcode "put file.txt"
expect sftp>

send "exit\r"
expect eof

Hi Sysgate,

Thank you so much for your help. I am able to log into the other server fine but I can't seem to put the file.

Message I get is...

put /home/citi/test.txtsftp> quit
File "/home/citi/test.txtquit" not found.
sftp>

After 10 seconds, it times out. I get my prompt back.

I got it working.... I added another set command. It's working now.

set AUTOHOME "/home/citi"

send "put $AUTOHOME/test.txt \r"

Thank again.