[Linux](EN) Copy files to local or remote using rsync

Let’s use rsync command in Linux base OS.

Environment and Prerequisite

• Linux
• Bash shell(/bin/bash)

rsync command

Basic

• rsync : It represents Remote Sync. It is a fast, versatile, remote (and local) file-copying tool which can use with various options
• It is similar file-copying tool like rcp and scp. It can copy file and directory to not only remote but also local.
• There are so many options that can be combined for many functions.(preserve symlink, preserve permission, preserve timestamp etc)

Basic Usage

• Contents from manual page

rsync [options ...] [source] [target]

옵션

• -v : Increase verbosity. It give more information about copying process.
• -z : Compress files when copying
• -h : Print human-readable mode
• -a (same as -rlptgoD) : Archive mode. It is same as -rlptgoD options. Those options explanation are at below of this option. It copies symlink, permission, timestamp and etc properties.
• -r : Recurse into directories. Use if for directory copy
• -l : Copy symlinks as symlinks
• -p : Preserve permissions
• -t : Preserve modification times
• -g : Preserve group
• -o : Preserve owner(super-user only)
• -D (same as --devices --specials) : Same as --devices --specials)
• --devices : This option causes rsync to transfer character and block device files to the remote system to recreate these devices.(root only)
• --specials : This option causes rsync to transfer special files such as named sockets and fifos.

Examples

• Local file

# rsync [File Name] [Target Path]

rsync -avzh test_file.txt /tmp

• Local directory

# rsync [Directory Name] [Target Path]

rsync -avzh test_directory /tmp


# Copy all files in directory
# rsync [Directory Name]/ [Target Path]

rsync -avzh test_directory/ /tmp

• Remote file

# rsync [File Name] [User]@[IP Address]:[Path]

rsync -avzh test.txt twpower-private-server:~
rsync -avzh test.txt twpower@192.168.1.2:~

• Remote directory

# rsync [Directory Name] [User]@[IP Address]:[Path]

rsync -avzh test.txt twpower-private-server:~
rsync -avzh test.txt twpower@192.168.1.2:~


# Copy all files in directory
# rsync [Directory Name]/ [User]@[IP Address]:[Path]

rsync -avzh test_directory/ twpower-private-server:~
rsync -avzh test_directory/ twpower@192.168.1.2:~

Reference

• https://linux.die.net/man/1/rsync
• https://www.createdbypete.com/articles/a-practical-guide-to-using-rsync/
• https://www.joinc.co.kr/w/Site/Tip/Rsync