Introduction to rsync
Rsync is a powerful and versatile command-line utility in Linux used for syncing files and directories between two locations. It efficiently copies and synchronizes data with remote or local systems. Rsync is widely used for mirroring data, backups, and migration tasks in Linux systems.
Syntax and options
The basic syntax for using rsync is:
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rsync [OPTION]... SRC [DEST]
Here, SRC is the source directory or file, and DEST is the destination. Some common options include:
-a: Archive mode for preserving permissions and other attributes.-v: Verbose mode for displaying detailed output.-z: Enable compression during file transfer for reduced bandwidth usage.
Example 1: Basic file sync
To synchronize a file from one directory to another:
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rsync -avz /path/to/source/file.txt /path/to/destination/
This command will copy ‘file.txt’ from the source to the destination directory while preserving its attributes.
Example 2: Remote synchronization
Rsync can also sync files between a local and remote system:
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rsync -avz -e ssh /path/to/local/file.txt user@remotehost:/path/to/remote/
By using the -e ssh option, rsync establishes a secure SSH connection to transfer data between the local and remote systems.
Example 3: Backup with rsync
Creating backups using rsync is a common practice in Linux:
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rsync -avz --delete /path/to/source/ /path/to/backup/
The --delete option removes any files in the backup directory that are not present in the source, ensuring an exact mirror of the source.
Applicable versions
Rsync is available on most Linux distributions by default. Users can check the version of rsync installed on their system using the command:
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rsync --version
The output will show the current version, options, and capabilities of rsync installed.
Conclusion
Rsync is a robust tool for efficient file synchronization and backup tasks in Linux. Its flexibility, speed, and ability to work with both local and remote systems make it indispensable for system administrators and users managing data across different locations. Mastering rsync can greatly simplify data management and ensure the integrity of files during transfers.