rsync

rsync is a command-line utility to synchronise files locally or across a network (typically over ssh).

Here's a command I like to use:

$ rsync -PCavzh --stats <source> <destination>

Be mindful of the trailing slash!

Older versions of rsync use rsh as a remote transport, but you can use ssh with the -e parameter. This allows you to use any of the options available to ssh.

To keep all attributes (archive), use the --archive (or -a) parameter.

You can tell rsync to delete files in the destination that are not in the source with the --delete flag.

To omit files from version control systems (SVN, CVS, etc.) use the --cvs-exclude (or -C) flag.

Compressed files

gzip can create rsync-friendly compressed files, with the --rsyncable flag:

$ gzip --rsyncable filename

Resources

• The rsync family
• rsync Tips & Tricks
• Using Rsync and SSH