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RSync

Rsync is an open-source file synchronizing tool that provides incremental file transfer. It can be used over insecure and secure transports (like SSH). It is available on most Unix-based systems (such as macOS and Linux) and Windows. There are also GUI-based tools that use rsync, for example, Acrosync .

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Rsync

A basic command looks like this:

bash 
                                    
                                        rsync
                                        [
                                        -options]
                                        SOURCE user@x.x.x.x:DESTINATION
  • -options is a dash followed by one or more letters, for example -v for verbose error messages, and -b to make backups. See the full list of options at the rsync man page. (Search for "Options summary.")
  • SOURCE is the path to the local file or directory that you want to copy or synchronize
  • user@ is the credentials of the user on the remote server you want to copy files over to.
  • x.x.x.x is the IP address of the remote server.
  • DESTINATION is the path to the location you want to copy your directory or files to on the remote server.

You can also make a connection over SSH using the -e option as shown:

bash 
                                    
                                        rsync
                                        [
                                        -options]
                                        -e
                                        "ssh [SSH DETAILS GO HERE]"
                                        SOURCE user@x.x.x.x:DESTINATION

There are numerous examples on the Internet, including those at the official website , and at the Wikipedia entry for rsync.

Updated on April 20, 2024 by Datarist.