Sync files and folders

Usage

rsync <options> <source> <destination>

Backup Mode

Perform a mirrored one way sync of source files to destination, removing deleted files from destination (Archive mode flag -a is the same as -rlptgoD)

rsync -avhP --stats --delete <source> <destination>

Archive Mode

Perform a mirrored one way sync, deleting destination files but retain a destination backup of deleted files in a date stamped folder

rsync -avhP --stats --delete --backup --backup-dir="backup_$(date +\%Y-\%m-\%d)" <source> <destination>

Common Flags

Flags encompassed by archive mode

• -r recurse into subdirectories

• -l copy symlinks as symlinks

• -p preserve permissions

• -t preserve timestamp

• -g preserve group

• -o preserve owner

• -D preserve device and special files

To opt out of an archive mode default flag

• --no-<option> (eg. --no-D to disable -D)

Dry Run

• -n dry run what will be transferred

Display Flags

• -v verbose output

• -h human readable output

• -P show progress and keep partial files

Transfer Flags

• -u skip files that are newer on the receiver

• -z compress data during transfer

• --delete delete extraneous files from destination dirs

• --exclude=<pattern> exclude files matching <pattern>