Guide to copying data using Rsync in Linux

Rsync — is a powerful tool for synchronizing and copying files in Linux. It allows you to quickly transfer data between local directories or remote servers, preserving structure, permissions and timestamps. In this article, we'll walk you through how to use rsync for efficient copying: from basic commands to advanced settings. You will learn how to avoid errors, speed up the process and protect your data.

Advantages of rsync:

• Efficiency: copies only the differences;
• Flexible: supports local and remote operations via SSH;
• Reliability: preserves rights, owners and references.

Installing rsync

Most modern Linux distributions already have the rsync utility installed. Check to see if it is installed:
rsync --versionIf the command outputs a version (e.g., 3.2.7), skip to the next section. If not, install it.

• Ubuntu/Debian:
  apt install rsync
• CentOS/RHEL:
  yum install rsync
• Arch Linux:
  pacman -S rsync

Check the installation:
rsync --version

Basic copying of local data

To copy a local directory, use:
rsync -av /source_directory/ /target_directory/

• -a (archive) — preserves rights, owners, links and structure;
• -v (verbose) — shows the copying process.

The slash at the end of /source_directory/ is important: without it, the directory itself is copied; with it, its contents are copied.

Example: copying /home/user/docs to /backup:
rsync -av /home/user/docs/ /backup/
Make sure the files are copied:
ls -l /backupTo update the copy, repeat the command - rsync will only transfer the changes.

Copying to remote server

Copying from local to remote server

To transfer data to the server:
rsync -avz /source_directory/ user@server_address:/target_directory/
Example: copying /home/user/docs to the server:
rsync -avz /home/user/docs/ [email protected]:/home/user/backup/

Copying from remote server to local server

For the reverse operation:
rsync -avz user@server_address:/source_directory/ /target_directory/

• -z (compress) - compresses file data during transfer to save traffic when copying.

Example: downloading /var/www from the server:
rsync -avz [email protected]:/var/www/ /home/user/www_backup/

Working with non-standard port

If the server uses a non-standard SSH port (for example, 2222), specify it with the -e option:
rsync -av -e "ssh -p 2222" /source_directory/ user@server_address:/target_directory/
Example:
rsync -av -e "ssh -p 2222" /home/user/docs/ [email protected]:/home/user/backup/
Note: Make sure the port is open in the firewall settings for example:
ufw allow 2222

Advanced rsync features

File exception

To skip certain files or directories, use --exclude:
rsync -av --exclude '*.log' /source_directory/ /target_directory/
Example: exclusion of logs and temporary files:
rsync -av --exclude '*.log' --exclude 'temp/' /home/user/docs/ /backup/

Data compression

To save traffic on remote copying, add -z (compress):
rsync -avz /source_directory/ user@server_address:/target_directory/

Deleting unnecessary files

To synchronize directories with delete files that are not in the source, use --delete:
rsync -av --delete /source_directory/ /target_directory/Note: Use --delete with caution - deleted files cannot be recovered without a backup.

Typical errors and their elimination

Error: rsync: command not found
Reason: The utility is not installed. Install it, e.g. for Debian:
apt install rsync
Error: Permission denied
Cause: insufficient permissions. Run with sudo or check permissions:
chmod 755 /directory
Error: Connection refused
Cause: SSH server is unavailable. Check the connection:
ssh user@server_address

Copy automation with rsync

Set up automatic copying via cron. Open the editor:
crontab -e
Add a task (for example, copying every day at 2:00):
0 2 * * * rsync -av /home/user/docs/ /backup/

Useful tips

• Test copying in test mode with --dry-run: rsync -av --dry-run /source/ /destination/
• Use --progress to display progress: rsync -av --progress /source/ /destination/

Conclusion

Rsync is a versatile tool for copying and synchronizing data. We've covered its installation, basic and advanced commands, and automation. Use these recommendations to create backups or transfer data to a server. It is recommended to test the commands and analyze the result - this will help you master rsync in practice.