Interrupting rsync

MasterOfTheWind · 01-06-2009, 04:49 AM

Hi!

I have set up a backup solution on one of my home computers utilizing rsync.

I am now wondering what happens if one of my rsync-s is interrupted before completion?

Say we have a following situation: I have downloaded the latest OpenSUSE dvd and rsync is now backing it up. What will happen if I interrupt the process? The next time I run the same rsync command, will it continue where it was interrupted?

I just want to ensure that my backups can be trusted

rizwanrafique · 01-06-2009, 05:39 AM

Have a look at --partial option in

Code:

man rsync

MasterOfTheWind · 01-06-2009, 06:03 AM

Thanks a lot for pointing it out!

Answering my own question for any future reference, here is a quote from the man pages:

Quote:

By default, rsync will delete any partially transferred file if the transfer is interrupted. In some circumstances it is more desirable to keep partially transferred files. Using the --partial option tells rsync to keep the partial file which should make a subsequent transfer of the rest of the file much faster.

Although I guess it may not be a good idea to use this option. What if the original large file changes after the interrupted sync, but before a resync occurs? Does rsync match the partially copied file to the original file to see whether any changes have been made in the meantime?

antegallya · 01-06-2009, 06:41 AM

Hello,
I've done some testing using "rsync -Ph" (-P is equivalent to --partial --progress wich shows the progress and -h is for human readable) and it seems to always restart the transfer at the beginning of the file (either if the partial destination file has been modified or not). So I think --partial is only to force the "commit" of a partial transfer instead of canceling it.

antegallya · 01-06-2009, 06:42 AM

[Oops double post, please delete this]

MasterOfTheWind · 01-06-2009, 06:57 AM

Well, thanks, antegallya! That's settled then

No -P/--partial for me.