Rsync

Rsync helps you to keep two folders in sync. This is possible over the network or local.

over the network

The following command sends the directory /srv/www/htdocs over to server:

rsync -avv --stats --progress --partial /srv/www/htdocs server:/srv/www

Common mistake

There is a difference between /srv/www/htdocs and /srv/www/htdocs/.

locally

Copy a folder .VirtualBox to /root:

rsync -avv --stats --progress --partial .VirtualBox/ /root/.VirtualBox

See also

• cloning -- how to clone a complete computer incl. device files
• unison -- a "graphical rsync"
• rsync's man page