Keep folders identical and efficient by sending only differences with rsync. 16.11.2025 | reading time: 2 min Want to keep folders identical across machines? Use `rsync` to copy only changed data, preserve permissions and timestamps, and run securely over SSH — fast and repeatable. A real sync Run this mirror backup from a workstation to a remote host and watch rsync transfer only differences: ```bash # Mirror local projects to remote backup (preserve attributes, show progress, remove deleted files) rsync -avh --progress --delete /home/alex/projects/ alex@backup:/backups/projects/ sending incremental file list projects/ projects/main.c projects/readme.md sent 12.3K bytes received 1.1K bytes 8.9K bytes/sec total size is 48.7M speedup is 3,567.42 ``` Options that matter Tune rsync by example: use `-a` for archive mode, `-v` for verbosity, `-h` for human sizes, `-P` to show progress and keep partials, `--delete` to mirror deletions, `--dry-run` to preview changes, `--link-dest` to build space-efficient incremental snapshots, `-e ssh` or an rsync daemon for transport, and `--bwlimit` to cap bandwidth — choose according to backup windows and file system features. When to chain it Automate with cron or systemd timers, combine `--link-dest` with hard-linking for snapshot rotation, or run an rsync daemon for many clients; for true bidirectional sync consider tools that detect conflicts because rsync is primarily one-way. Next steps Try variants: local to local, local to remote, and rsync daemon mode; practice dry runs and `--link-dest` snapshots to build a reliable backup routine and then deepen your Linux skills with exam-focused study at bitsandbytes.academy for intensive CompTIA Linux+ or LPIC-1 preparation. Join Bits & Bytes Academy First class LINUX exam preparation. backup network filesystem utilities
