How do I transfer files between a local computer and a WorkSpace?

Resolution

For Amazon DCV WorkSpaces, you can use the file transfer feature to transfer files between a local client and WorkSpaces.

If you use a PC-over-IP (PCoIP) WorkSpace or can't use the file transfer feature, then use the following methods. To transfer text, use clipboard redirection. For more information, see Configure clipboard redirection over the Remote Desktop Protocol on the Microsoft website. For other file types, use the method for your file type.

Configure file transfer for DCV WorkSpaces

To configure file transfer, you must be a WorkSpaces administrator. You must also use a Windows client, Linux client, or Web Access. The WorkSpaces client must be version 5.23.0 or later.

Install the Group Policy administrative template files for DCV in the Central Store of your domain.

To configure file transfer, see Configure file transfer for DCV in Manage Group Policy settings for DCV.

You can upload and download files through the My Storage folder in the WorkSpaces client.

Use the clipboard

By default, Microsoft activates clipboard redirection for both DCV and PCoIP WorkSpaces. You can use clipboard redirection to transfer text between your local computer and your WorkSpace.

To transfer a text file, note the text content on your local computer, and then enter it into a new text file in your WorkSpace.

Use Amazon S3

Upload the files to an Amazon Simple Storage Service (Amazon S3) bucket from your local machine. Then, download the files into your WorkSpace.

Or, use the AWS Command Line Interface (AWS CLI) to allow the WorkSpace to access the Amazon S3 bucket with your files.

Note: If you receive errors when you run AWS CLI commands, then see Troubleshooting errors for the AWS CLI. Also, make sure that you're using the most recent AWS CLI version.

Complete the following steps:

1. To grant your WorkSpace permission to access the S3 bucket, run the configure AWS CLI command:

   $ aws configure

   Note: You can use AWS Identity and Access Management (IAM) to manage the access keys for your IAM users.
2. To list your S3 buckets, run the following ls AWS CLI command:

   $ aws s3 ls

   Note: To create an IAM policy that allows read and write access to the bucket, see Allowing read and write access to an Amazon S3 bucket.
3. In the command's output, verify that your S3 bucket is on the list.
4. To download the files from the S3 bucket to your WorkSpace, run the following cp AWS CLI command:

   aws s3 cp s3://testbucket/file.txt D:\Users\username\Desktop

   Note: Replace testbucket with your bucket name, username with your username, and file.txt with your file.

Use FSx for Windows File Server

Complete the following steps:

1. Create an Amazon FSx for Windows File Server file system.
2. To integrate your file system with WorkSpaces, join the file system with AWS Directory Service for Microsoft Active Directory or a self-managed Microsoft Active Directory.
3. Configure your file system to be accessible from your local machine and your WorkSpace. On your local machine, set up network connectivity with the virtual private cloud (VPC) where the FSx for Windows File Server is located. To set up access to the VPC from an on-premises environment, use AWS Direct Connect or AWS VPN.
4. Configure the network security groups and firewall rules. They must allow inbound SMB traffic on TCP port 445 from the local machine and WorkSpaces environments to the Amazon FSx file system's security group.
5. From the local Windows computer, map the Amazon FSx file share as a network drive. Use the DNS name or preferred IP address of the Amazon FSx file system.
6. From the WorkSpace, map the Amazon FSx file share as a network drive.

Use an external storage system

Use an external storage system, such as an AWS Transfer Family server, OneDrive, or Dropbox. Copy the file to the external storage system. Then, open the external storage system on the WorkSpace, and download the file.

Use a VPN

Use AWS Client VPN to establish a VPN connection to a VPC.

Troubleshoot high latency when you transfer data

If you experience performance issues when you transfer data between your WorkSpace and a local computer, then take the following actions:

To view your resource usage during the transfer, check the CPUUsage, MemoryUsage, UserVolumeDiskUsage, and RootVolumeDiskUsage Amazon CloudWatch metrics.

Run a Wireshark capture when you transfer the file to determine whether there are networking issues. For more information see, 4.3. Start Capturing on the Wireshark website.

Use the Process Monitor tool to run a capture when you transfer the file. For more information, see Process Monitor v4.01 on the Microsoft website.

Note: High CPU levels or overall low bandwidth from the client to the source can slow file transfers.