Rsync is a file transfer program capable of efficient remote update via a fast differencing algorithm.

Rsync utility is commonly found on Unix-like systems and is used to minimize network usage while copying (or synchronizing) files from one server to another.

If you have SSH access to your server you can use rsync instead of traditional FTP method.

How to use rsync?

Let's say, that you want to copy files from server Master to server Slave. You must have SSH access to both servers.

  1. SSH to your Master server (How-to guide here)

  2. Enter the command:
    rsync -a /path/to/your/files/ slave@192.168.1.100:/path/to/where/you/want/to/copy/the/files
    Be sure to use your own username and IP instead of slave@192.168.1.100.

  3. You're done, the files are copied now.

Parameter '-a' explained

Parameter -a (or --archive) is 'archive mode' and is equal to -rlptgoD

-r, --recursive recurse into directories
-l, --links copy symlinks as symlinks
-p keep partially transferred files & show progress during transfer
-t, --times preserve modification times
-g, --group preserve group
-o, --owner preserve owner (super-user only)
-D preserve device files (super-user only) & preserve special files