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will sync object a to object b where both a and b are in your current working directory. By object, it is meant either a file or a directory. For example,

rsync a b

will sync a to bUsing the syntax above src = a, tgt = b, and opts = "" (ie, we are not providing any additional options to modify the behavior of rsync). If a, and b are both files, then b is updated to look like a. If b is a directory, then b/a is updated to look like a. Keep in mind that "updateupdated" means "created" if it doesn't exist. If a is a directory, then rsync will fail because, by default, rsync will not transfer directories. You can get around this by using the -a option. In other words,

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object meaning
a b sync object (file or directory) a to (file or directory b)
a/ b sync contents of directory a to b
a b/ sync a to directory b
a/ b/ sync directory a/ to b/

Syncing to Another Directory or a Remote

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Host

Until now we've just assumed that we are syncing files in the same directory. However, rsync will also sync files between directories. For example, if you have modified files in your home directory, you might want to make sure the changed files are in your personal directory in your lab folder. In this case you could run,

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which creates or updates /share/FooLab/bar1234/ProjectFiles/a. You can reverse this of course. Finally, , and use rsync to update date your current working directory with source that is in another directory. rsync allows either the source or the target on a remote host. This allows you to sync files to a remote host , using the syntax

rsync -a a remote_host:dir

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and read about it. Also, --dry-run, --list-only, and --itemize-changes are good ways to see what rsync is doing, or to test what it might do.

Rsync as a Backup Tool

CURRENTLY THIS SCRIPT IS KNOWN TO WORK ON MAC. IF YOU HAVE PROBLEMS ON OTHER SYSTEMS, LET US KNOW.

Also, before syncing the contents of your laptop onto your lab share, you should consult with your PI, and make sure that this is an acceptable use of the space they purchased.

CCBB users how also have accounts Rsync backup scriptin the Bull, Cannatella, Chen, Hillis, and Hofmann labs can take advantage of this to keep their Linux or Mac laptops up to date. To do this first go into your lab's folder /share/PILab (replace PI with the name of your lab's head). In this folder, should be another folder with your username. This folder is accessible only by you, and by your PI. Once you are in your personal folder, make a directory called SYNC2FILES, and go into it. Finally, make a folder for the device that you want back up (eg, LAPTOP). Please refer to the files server portion of our docs for info on how to do this.

Next go to your home directory, and download our backup script Rsync backup script. Run the command,

tar xvf ccbb-rsync-backup.tar

which will extract the backup script, and create the following

~bin/sync2files
~/ccbb-rsync-backup/exclude
~/ccbb-rsync-backup/include
~/ccbb-rsync-backup/sync2files

(and others, but these are the ones that you will actually care about). First, use a text editor to edit ~/ccbb-rsync-backups/sync2files. At the top, you should provide your lab head, and your eid. Also, provide the folder name that you created above. These 3 things ensure that

Some caveats:

• This script is not 100% tested, so you will need to make sure that it is actually working. If there are problems, please mention them so that we can make fixes.

• This is not necessary if you are only using a cluster account, or another UNIX server that we maintain, because these are already being backed up. This script is meant only for people who want easy backups of their laptops without having to worry about dragging, and dropping specific files to the server.

• Much more needs to be added to the exclude file. For sure, we do not have the space for you to back up your personal music collection, iPhoto library, and other non-work related files. Also, we cannot store security sensitive files (see our ISORA page for more info), and in fact you should not be storing them on your laptop or desktop anyways. If someone can send us information as to where things like iTunes store their files, or where other files that can be safely ignore are stored, then we can make this process better by making OS specific exclude files.

Once you have your files ready to go, then you can type

~/bin/sync2files

provide your password.