I am trying to sync website files uploaded to a windows 2000 FTP server to an Apache server. The Apache is running Debian 4. I'd like to initiate file transfer from the Apache if I could.

I attempted to install Unison on the apache; and connect via ssh to the windows2000 server. At first I didn't realized I needed Unison to be running on the server. After it didn't work; I found that buried in the doc. I believe I might have Unison working if I can get Unison to listen on the Win2000 FTP server, but I don't know how. Am I just asking for trouble with this setup?
Right now both servers are sitting next to each other on the same subnet on the same LAN. Would it be better to attempt an NFS mount on the Apache from the Win2000 server? If I did that; would it significantly hinder my options for moving the Apache to a remote site?
I heard development for Unison has all but stopped? Is this right? Other than Rsync, Is there any other options at all? Do you think there is a better solution for what I am trying to do? I don't think initiating transfers from the FTP server is a great idea; doesn't seem like it would scale well to a large environment. But if it comes down to it; I'll do whatever I need to do. Thanks!

Is this a one time file sync, or something you want to do repeatedly?

I've set up both. You can use the 'mirror' option of lftp to pull the files off the Windows server. Read up on it. This will work for both a one-off copy or repeated copies (it only updates). It has an option to delete files locally if they disappear from the Windows machine.

For two way synchronization you'll want either rsync or unison. I use rsync over ssh.

You could always mount the windows filesystem via mount.cifs and use copy, but sharing files and folders on a web server is bad ju ju.

-dan

I'd like to do this repeatedly. Like a cron job every hour or something. Thanks for the lftp tip! Never heard of it; but sounds perfect. I'll be looking into it.

Your welcome.