ftp/rcp can't copy devices

[Rob Hulsebos]

When I use the 'ftp' or 'rcp' command, and want to copy a disk-partition
(accessed via /dev/rdsk/*) to the other end, both utilities
complain: "not a plain file".

Of course, the manual doesn't mention that only plain files can be
transferred. Does anybody know why ftp and rcp behave this way?

Suprisingly, copying _to_ a device is allowed. An ftp-command like
"put /unix /dev/null" works fine, and is a nice trick to test the overhead
incurred by the filesystem on the receiving end.

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