To execute any linux command in background we use nohup as follows:
1
| $ nohup SOME_COMMAND & |
But the problem with scp command is that it prompts for the password (if password authentication is used). So to make scp execute as a background process do this:
1
| $ nohup scp file_to_copy user@server:/path/to/copy/the/file > nohup.out 2>&1 |
Then press ctrl + z which will temporarily suspend the command, then enter the command:
1
| $ bg |
This will start executing the command in backgroud