rsync rsync -rv (to copy directories) rsync -v (to copy files to the existing directory) eg. stage.qtv.apple.com:/qttv/htdocs/test/test_push/test.file If you want to put a file into ftp server rsync -rv /qttv/htdocs/test/test_push dkim@ftp.qtv.apple.com:/qttv/htdocs/test will create a subdirectory test_push and copy test.file under it. Note: You need to be one directory above the directory you want to copy. rsync -v /qttv/htdocs/test/test_push/test.file dkim@ftp.qtv.apple.com:/qttv/htdocs/test/test_push will copy a file under the last subdirectory specified. If you want to get a file from ftp server rsync -rv dkim@ftp.qtv.apple.com:/qttv/htdocs/test/test_push /qttv/htdocs/test