[SOLVED] How to copy files between networked computers, overwriting only when newer?

Using Ubuntu 16.04 on both computers and the network set up using Samba.

I am trying to copy files from one computer to the other, overwriting only where there is a newer version. I can see the options to do this in cp, and presume the options in rcp are the same. However there is no .rhosts or hosts.equiv on either computer, and I am somewhat confused by the examples given the entry in the Linux Programmer's manual.

Do I have to set up hosts.equiv from scratch? Is there a better way to synchronise files?

All help appreciated by a very wary inexperienced linux user!

rsync

Suggest you not presume anything. Use

man scp

to read the manual for the scp command.

rsync, by default, only copies new or changed files. See

man rsync

I guess one could write some script that uses a set of files as input using date and then compares to other computer and if matches copy.

hosts.equv https://docs.oracle.com/cd/E19455-01...082/index.html

rsync tends to be most recommend way.

rsync -a

https://www.tecmint.com/sync-new-cha...s-rsync-linux/

Many thanks to all for the helpful replies. rsync looks the ideal tool. It takes a while to read the rsync manual, and for me, even longer to understand it! The examples are very helpful.

rsnapshot is a wrapper for rsync that manages multiple generations of backups with minimal effort.

I haven't tired it but Grsync is out there. Your distro may have more in it's package manager.

Originally Posted by jefro I haven't tired it but Grsync is out there. Your distro may have more in it's package manager.

I've been using Grsync with Fedora. Haven't had any problems and don't have to remember a bunch of command line flags

I just replied so I could say, 'rsync', too. Grsync might be less daunting for beginners.

Many thanks to all, especially for the extremely helpful link from Farnk Bell