inconsistent checksums on copied directories

[Joe Smith]

charles f. zeitler wrote:
> when i copy a directory,
> using cp -a or
> cd from_dir ; tar cf - original_dir | ( cd to_dir ; \
> tar xfBp - )
> 
> and check them both with
> tar cf - dir | sha1sum,
> i get different checksums
> ...

Alternatively, you can use "diff from_dir to_dir" to verify.

Rsync is another good way to copy a whole directory tree:

$ rsync -av /src /dest

Rsync does it's own file-by-file verification.