Rsync is a software that synchronizes files and directories using a small amount of data transfers. You can use this to backup data. This page will show you how to use rsync to synchronize files from a source machine.

NoteFor Windows users, you can use DeltaCopy. DeltaCopy includes the rsync console application and a client and server GUI.

Server

Edit rsyncd.conf
1. Edit the file /etc/rsyncd.conf and add the lines below. 
[pub]
path=/home/public
read only=no
Replace pub with any directory name you prefer. The path on the other hand should point to a valid nobody readable and writeable directory.
Service rsync2. Allow the rsync service to launch by enabling it in the On Demand Service in the Service Configuration tool. Learn more about the Service Configuration tool.
Security Level Configuration3. Open the rsync port 873 in the firewall. Learn how to configure the firewall.

Client

To transfer a file/directory, the basic command is rsync src dest. Below are some examples.

Terminal rsync
To get a file/directory from the server, type in 
rsync rsync://server/pub/test.txt .
Replace server with the name of your server, pub with the name of your directory, test.txt with the name of a file or directory you wish to download and replace . with a path to your local directory if you do not want to save into your current directory.
Terminal rsync
To send a file/directory to the server, type in 
rsync test.txt rsync://server/pub
Replace server with the name of your server, pub with the name of your directory, test.txt with the name of a file or directory you wish to upload.

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Posted on 8/19/2008 and last updated on 11/6/2009
Filed under System Administration