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### 4.6 Selecting a default method

Default method is for transferring files. The variable `tramp-default-method` sets it. TRAMP uses this variable to determine the default method for tramp file names that do not have one specified.

    (setq tramp-default-method "ssh")

Default methods for transferring files can be customized for specific user and host combinations through the alist variable `tramp-default-method-alist`.

For example, the following two lines specify to use the `ssh` method for all user names matching ‘`john`’ and the `rsync` method for all host names matching ‘`lily`’. The third line specifies to use the `su` method for the user ‘`root`’ on the host ‘`localhost`’.

    (add-to-list 'tramp-default-method-alist '("" "john" "ssh"))
    (add-to-list 'tramp-default-method-alist '("lily" "" "rsync"))
    (add-to-list 'tramp-default-method-alist
                 '("\\`localhost\\'" "\\`root\\'" "su"))

See the documentation for the variable `tramp-default-method-alist` for details.

External methods performance faster for large files.

See Inline methods. See External methods.

Choosing the access method also depends on the security environment. For example, `rsh` and `telnet` methods that use clear text password transfers are inappropriate for over the Internet connections. Secure remote connections should use `ssh` that provide encryption.

#### 4.6.1 Which method to use?

TRAMP provides maximum number of choices for maximum flexibility. Choosing which method depends on the hosts, clients, network speeds, and the security context.

Start by using an inline method.

External methods might be more efficient for large files, but most TRAMP users edit small files more often than large files.

Enable compression, tramp-inline-compress-start-size, for a performance boost for large files.

Since `ssh` has become the most common method of remote host access and it has the most reasonable security protocols, use `ssh` method. Typical `ssh` usage to edit the `/etc/motd` file on the otherhost:

    C-x C-f /ssh:root@otherhost:/etc/motd RET

If `ssh` is unavailable for whatever reason, look for other obvious options. For Windows, try the `plink` method. For Kerberos, try `krlogin`.

For editing local files as `su` or `sudo` methods, try the shortened syntax of ‘`root`’:

    C-x C-f /su::/etc/motd RET

For editing large files, `scp` is faster than `ssh`. `pscp` is faster than `plink`. But this speed improvement is not always true.

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