How to Use the Rsync Command in Linux

Rsync, which stands for “remote sync,” is a powerful and versatile command for synchronizing and transferring files and directories between systems. It is widely used for its ability to efficiently copy and synchronize data, making it an essential tool for system administrators and users alike.

In this article, we will explore the various uses of the rsync command in Linux, along with multiple examples and different options.

Installing rsync

Rsync is pre-installed on most Linux distributions, including Debian, Ubuntu, and CentOS. But what to do if it’s not installed on your computer? You can install it using:

For Debian/Ubuntu:

$ sudo apt-get install rsync -y

For Fedora, CentOS and AlmaLinux:

$ sudo dnf install rsync

Using the rsync command

Using the rsync Linux command can be very tricky. Its basic syntax is as follows:

rsync [options] source destination

Here:

– `source`: Specifies the source file(s) or directory.

– `destination`: Specifies the destination directory.

We will explore the options through the following usage examples.

Basic Usage

Let’s start by exploring a couple of scenarios that help illustrate the usage of rsync Linux command with examples. 

Copying Files Locally:

To copy a single file from one location to another, use the following command:

$ rsync /path/to/source/file /path/to/destination/

Copying Directories:

To copy an entire directory and its contents, use the `-r` (or `–recursive`) option:

rsync -r /path/to/source/directory /path/to/destination/

So, I’m going to continue the last example and copy the test directory into the destination. 

$ rsync -r ~/test/ ~/destination/

Verbose Output:

You can use the `-v` (or `–verbose`) option to display detailed information about the files being transferred:

$ rsync -av /path/to/source/directory /path/to/destination/

For this example, let’s pick files from the source directory and put them in the test directory. 

$ rsync -av ~/source/ ~/test/

Dry Run:

The `-n` (or `–dry-run`) option can be used to perform a trial run without making any changes:

This will come in handy when sending a large number of files to another host. You can use the following syntax

$ rsync -av --dry-run /path/to/source/ user@remote_host:/path/to/destination/

Delete Extraneous Files:

The `–delete` option removes any files from the destination that are not present in the source. So here we have the source with single file titled “file100” and the destination has all 100 files. 

Let’s use the following:

$ rsync -av --delete ~/source/ ~/destination/

Similarly, if you want to perform it with a remote host, here is the syntax.

$ rsync -av --delete /path/to/source/ user@remote_host:/path/to/destination/

Remote Synchronization

You can also use the rsync command to share files between systems over SSH. 

Copying from Local to Remote:

To copy a file from the local system to a remote system, use the following syntax:

$ rsync /path/to/local/file user@remote_host:/path/to/destination/

Let’s set up the scene. We have two hosts “systemOne” and “systemTwo”. I will send file from one to the other.

$ rsync ~/source/file100 admin@systemTwo:~/destination

Copying from Remote to Local:

To copy a file from a remote system to the local system, use this command:

$ rsync user@remote_host:/path/to/remote/file /path/to/destination/

Bandwidth Limit:

You can limit the bandwidth used by rsync with the `–bwlimit` option:

$ rsync -av --bwlimit=1000 /path/to/source/ user@remote_host:/path/to/destination/

Conclusion

Rsync is a versatile and efficient tool for file synchronization and transfer in Linux. Its ability to work both locally and over a network, along with its numerous options, makes it an essential utility for managing data. By mastering the rsync command and its various options, users can effectively manage their file synchronization needs reliably and flexibly.

In conclusion, rsync is a powerful utility that offers a wide range of options for file synchronization and transfer in Linux. By understanding its basic syntax and various options, users can effectively manage their data transfer needs with efficiency and precision.

Whether you are a system administrator or a regular Linux user, mastering the rsync command can greatly enhance your ability to manage and transfer files across different systems. With its flexibility and robust feature set, rsync remains a fundamental tool for data synchronization in the Linux environment.

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