Sneakernet

Sneakernet is a method of transferring digital information by physically carrying storage media from one computer or network to another, rather than transmitting it over a network. The term originated as a humorous contrast to data networks, reflecting the idea that data moves by steps taken with one’s feet rather than by packets over cables or wireless links.

Common media used in sneakernet include USB flash drives, external hard drives, CDs or DVDs, SD cards, and magnetic tapes. The practicality of sneakernet depends on the size of the data, the speed of the media, and the time required for a person to physically transport it. While high-capacity drives can move large datasets quickly, the approach is inherently limited by human travel time and potential loss or damage to the media.

Sneakernet is often employed when network connectivity is unavailable, too slow, or impractical for the task at hand. It is also used with air-gapped systems—computers that are intentionally isolated from networks for security reasons—where data must be moved without establishing an online connection. Other use cases include initial data seeding, offsite backups, or transferring extremely large files that would congest a network.

Security and reliability considerations are central to sneakernet. Physical media can be lost, stolen, damaged, or infected with malware. Therefore, media should be scanned, verified, and encrypted when appropriate, and transfer workflows should include integrity checks to ensure data remains unaltered during transport.