Syncing files between OS X and a server

2

Dropbox is pretty handy, but I want to accomplish a similar thing on a larger scale - syncing my local files across computers and on a server. I already have a big fat research server with a big drive available via SFTP (also it's useful to have my files available on the server). There must be a program to keep directories in sync with a server that just works.

  1. OS X support
  2. Minimal CPU/memory usage (My MacBook Pro is kindof sluggish as is)
  3. Don't need admin access on the server
  4. minimal setup time/cost

bh1

Posted 2011-09-16T04:58:06.697

Reputation: 51

2Have you tried rsync? – Daniel Beck – 2011-09-16T06:20:48.240

Answers

5

You can use the Unix utility called rsync.

For synchronizing a folder to your remote host, use a simple command like:

rsync local-folder user@remote-machine:/remote/folder/

The local-folder will be created in /remote/folder.

rsync has several options you will probably want to use (see the manual for more details):

  • -a enables archive mode
  • -v enables more verbose output
  • -n enables a "dry run", i.e. a fake backup
  • --delete will delete everything on the remote host that doesn't exist locally anymore (use with caution)

janolap1

Posted 2011-09-16T04:58:06.697

Reputation: 51

Welcome to Super User! Thanks for your helpful answer! It would be nice to have more context, maybe explaining how to use a tool and link to an official resource. I edited your post to include that and hope you don't mind. – slhck – 2011-09-16T09:39:08.110

@slhck Wow... next time, post as your own answer and get the rep you deserve ;) – Daniel Beck – 2011-09-16T09:41:04.997

@Daniel I don't particularly need it and I think it's always helpful to poke new users in the right direction with positive reinforcement :P – slhck – 2011-09-16T09:41:49.293

Asked: 2011-09-16T04:58:06.697

Viewed: 1 191 times

Active: 2011-09-16T09:37:53.510