rsync 2 folders in 2 directions?

miros84 · 01-21-2013, 02:19 PM

I sync folder A and remote folder B with rsync this way:

Code:

rsync /folderA /folderB

And this way all files from folderA pass to folderB.

But what about if I want to pass files from folderB to folderA too.

Other words in 2 direction. Do I need to execute another command?

Code:

rsync /folderB /folderA

Or is there some function to sync the 2 folders in both directions using only one command?

kbp · 01-21-2013, 05:30 PM

I'd recommend not syncing in both directions unless it's a one off when you're first setting it up, having two authoritative sources is confusing and prone to errors and/or data destruction.

You can simply reverse the source and destination when running the rsync command to sync the other way, it doesn't do two-way replication in one go.

miros84 · 01-22-2013, 01:43 AM

Hi kbp,

So you mean to do the examples I made above? First sync from A to B and later sync from B to A.

With 2 differents command?

kbp · 01-22-2013, 02:28 AM

Yes, just try not to do it regularly.. pick one to be the master and only sync from it.

miros84 · 01-22-2013, 03:24 AM

That about the time between first and second command?

Code:

rsync /folderA /folderB

If it takes 5 minutes to sync

Code:

rsync /folderB /folderA

It takes 1 minutes to sync

Do I have to put sleep option between 2 commands so second command run after first is finished, or second command alwasy will run AFTER first is finished? Can you clarify this issue please?

kbp · 01-22-2013, 03:57 PM

No sleep is required.

miros84 · 01-23-2013, 02:26 AM

Does it mean that the second command will execute when the first is finished?

kbp · 01-23-2013, 02:45 AM

Yes .. they will run one after the other.

miros84 · 01-23-2013, 07:31 AM

Ok, thank you for your explication.

Habitual · 01-23-2013, 11:09 AM

I, being a c-li nut, have used unison is just such a manner in the past.

In a repo near you, I'll bet.

Set 2 unison profiles...

Code:

vi ~/.unison/A2B.prf

and add

Code:

# Unison preferences file
root = /folderA
root = /folderB

and the other one:

Code:

vi ~/.unison/B2A.prf

and add

Code:

# Unison preferences file
root = /folderB
root = /folderA

run either like so:

Code:

unison A2B -batch -ui text -auto
unison B2A -batch -ui text -auto

she-bang or source an alias for those 2 using each profile is quite easy.

Good luck!

Please let us know...

miros84 · 01-23-2013, 03:22 PM

I have tried unison few days ago and I didnot like the interface. I think is too simple and has few option for condifure.
Or meybe I dont spend too much time exploring it.

Habitual · 01-30-2013, 08:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by miros84

I have tried unison few days ago and I did not like the interface.

There is no "interface" if you use it in 'batch mode' as I showed you.

Solutions aren't always elegant, nor pretty but they tend to "do the job". Interface? I can run those 'batch modes' in dialog, zenity, or yad.

Using unison by itself, you get an Interface.
Use the c-li

If you want a pretty interface, try grsync
"Sample uses of grsync include: synchronize a music collection with removable devices, backup personal files to a networked drive, replication of a partition to another one, mirroring of files, etc." and I believe it'll support 'profiles' or 'jobs' that can specify direction from A to B or B to A.

HTH.

Good luck.