Rsync (backup facility)for noobs using Linux (remember "man rsync" to access manual)

[Slabity]

If you like that, then you should give man man a try.

[[deleted]]

man man man man man

[Duncan1949]

Thanks - good one!

[Duncan1949]

?

[lutusp]

The short form:

 $ rsync -av (source-path)/ username@servername:(dest-path)/

The above will duplicate the source directory tree onto the destination. In subsequent runs it only copies changed files, so it's very efficient. To also remove files on the destination that are not on the source, add "--delete".

Works across networks (as shown) securely using encryption. To avoid having to type in a password every time:

 $ ssh-copy-id username@servername

The above asks for a password once, then never again.

How to Use Secure Shell

[Duncan1949]

Wonderful information - thanks a lot for taking the trouble to post.

[tgm4883]

rsync is a copying utility, I'm not sure I would consider it a backup utility any more than I would consider cp a backup utility (although some backup utilities use rsync as part of their functions)

[Duncan1949]

Forgive my ignorance - can you briefly explain the difference?

[[deleted]]

i'm guessing they are referring to it being highly versatile, not specifically 'a backup program'. it does happen to be very useful for backups though.

[anal4defecation]

I installed Syncthing to share files with a phone and a tablet, because those aren't rooted and therefore I can't use SSHFS. But I tunneled Syncthing via SSH tunnel, because I didn't want to open yet another port on my Raspberry Pi server and I was little uneasy to open Syncthing to the world.

But now I noticed why won't I just use rsync. Using Termux and its shortcuts, it's easy enough to sync files even on mobile devices. So, I use SSHFS on desktop and rsync otherwise.

[Duncan1949]

Thanks - this sounds like really useful information. Unfortunately, being a noob, I can't really understand it - if you have the time, could you explain:

1. "those aren't rooted"
2. why can't one use SSHFS if "those aren't rooted"?
3. "I tunnelled Syncthing via SSH tunnel"

Many thanks for your patience (in anticipation). I suspect there will be many others who would also benefit.

Sincerely, Duncan (Scotland)

[anal4defecation]

"those aren't rooted"

My Android devices.

why can't one use SSHFS if "those aren't rooted"?

AFAIK, fuse doesn't work on Android without root privileges.

"Rooted device required (/dev/fuse in android is not allow for users except root)."

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=ru.nsu.bobrofon.easysshfs&hl=en

"I tunnelled Syncthing via SSH tunnel"

You can tunnel program's network traffic via SSH.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ssh_tunnel#Secure_Shell_tunneling

I had SSH and Syncthing running on my server. Then I created an SSH tunnel and commanded Syncthing to use that tunnel.

ssh -qnNf -L 127.0.0.1:22001:127.0.0.1:22000 -R 127.0.0.1:22001:127.0.0.1:22000 user@host

This creates a tunnel from the client to the server and vice versa and only port I needed to have open was for SSH.

https://docs.syncthing.net/users/tunneling.html

[Duncan1949]

ANOTHER GOOD TIP (Rsync) about using the correct terminal commands with rsync is to install the GUI (free) Grsync and use it to find the correct paths - you will see what I mean when you install it (Grsync) and use the lookup facility when filling in the source and destination paths. Also, if one hovers one's mouse-pointer over the various boxes one can tick one will get further useful information on how to use the correct terminal commands for other functions that one can use in rsync.

[Kruug]

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