RCP Requires -b Switch for Binary Copy (101064)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows NT Server 3.1
  • Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 3.1
This article was previously published under Q101064
When using the UNIX RCP (Remote Copy Program) command, binary files will not copy correctly because RCP uses the ASCII transfer mode by default.

Using the -b switch will solve this problem.

Example:

RCP -b [HOST1.][USER1:]SOURCE [HOST2.][USER2:] path/destination

MORE INFORMATION

Other parameters for the RCP command are as follows: 
   -a  Specifies the ASCII transfer mode (this is the default).
       This mode converts between End-of-Line characters:
       CR for UNIX and CR/LF for PCs.

   -h  Used to transfer hidden files.

   -r  If any of the source files are directories, RCP recursively
       copies each subtree rooted at that name; the destination must
       must be a directory.

   -p  Attemp to give each copy the same modification times, access
       times, and modes as the original file.
RCP requires that the source host have permissions to execute commands on the remote host.
Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:10/29/2003
Keywords:kbinterop KB101064
©2003 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.