This is a follow up post to Copy/Transfer Files Between Two Servers Using Linux SCP. Transferring via scp copies all the files which is what you want sometimes, but I find rsync to be a much better solution in most instances.

I'll provide a handful of ways I tend to use rsync but check out the full Linux man page for the a complete description of rsync and all the available options.

Synchronize from Local Server to Remote

rsync -avuz /var/www/example.com/ root@108.175.12.239:/var/www/example.com/

// only one file
rsync -avuz /var/www/example.com/index.html root@108.175.12.239:/var/www/example.com/

• a = archive mode
• v = increase verbose
• u = skip files that are newer on the receiver
• z = compress file data during the transfer

Archive mode is the same as options -rlptgoD
• r = recurse into directories
• l = copy symlinks as symlinks
• p = preserve permissions
• t = preserve modification times
• g = preserve group
• o = preserve owner (super-user only)
• D = preserve device & special files

Synchronize from Local Directory to Another Local Directory

rsync -avuz /var/www/example.com/ /user/websites/

View the progress of the Sync

A percentage of each file's status will be displayed which is useful if you're transferring large files. Not so useful for tons of small files.

rsync -avuz --progress /var/www/example.com/ root@108.175.12.239:/var/www/example.com/

Run Sync in the Background

If you're running a large sync with either lots of files or large files, you probably want to run it in the background. Nothings more frustrating than starting a large sync and then find out later your connection with the server dropped. Below will keep the job running even if you're connection gets dropped - actually you can exit the SSH session if you want. The job will continue to run.

• Start rsync command
• Press Ctrl+Z
• Enter bg command to place job to the background
• You can then view the job (or any other jobs) running in the background, by entering jobs command.

These are just a few ways to use rsync, but there are tons of other ways. If you're interested in leaning about some more checkout How to Backup Linux? 15 rsync Command Examples.