`rsync`, short for “remote sync”, is a powerful Linux utility that allows you to synchronize files between two locations either on a local network or across the remote systems. Here’s a brief guide to utilizing `rsync` on a local network.
To begin, you will need to have `rsync` installed on both systems (source system and target system). If `rsync` isn’t already installed, you can install it with the package manager for your specific Linux distribution. For example, on a Debian-based system like Ubuntu, you would use:
```
sudo apt-get install rsync
```
In the use case where you want to synchronize two directories on a local network, `rsync` syntax is as follows:
```
rsync -options source destination
```
For instance, if we have two computers on the same network, let’s say their names (or IP addresses) are `192.168.0.1` (source) and `192.168.0.2` (destination), and you wish to synchronize a directory called `dir1` from 192.168.0.1 to 192.168.0.2. The command would be:
```
rsync -avz /path/to/dir1/ 192.168.0.2:/path/to/dir1/
```
Here, `-a` option is for archive mode which ensures permissions, links, symbolic links, and other vital data are preserved, `-v` stands for verbosity which means it will provide information about the process, and `-z` will compress the data during the transfer process.
Before running the rsync, ensure that the source system can communicate with the target system without a password (you can use `ssh-keygen` and `ssh-copy-id` for this).
That is just a basic example. `rsync` presents numerous options which can be used according to different requirements. For example, `—delete` option enables files deleted from the source directory to be deleted from the destination directory as well. Thus, the command would be:
```
rsync -avz —delete /path/to/dir1/ 192.168.0.2:/path/to/dir1/
```
The `rsync` utility is helpful for backups and mirroring between two Linux hosts. Remember to check the `man` page (`man rsync` command) for more information and options. This page is reliable and recognized as it is essentially the official documentation for `rsync`.
Sources:
- “rsync(1) – Linux man page”. (https://linux.die.net/man/1/rsync). The Linux Documentation Project.
- “How to Use Rsync for Local and Remote Data Transfer and Synchronization”. (https://www.tecmint.com/rsync-local-remote-file-synchronization-commands/). TecMint: Linux Howtos, Tutorials & Guides.
- “Rsync (Remote Sync): 10 Practical Examples of Rsync Command in Linux” (https://www.thegeekstuff.com/2010/09/rsync-command-examples/). The Geek Stuff.
