[K12OSN] Simple RSYNC question

[Les Mikesell]

On Wed, 2005-10-05 at 12:10, Jim Kronebusch wrote:
> > rsync -arvv --delete /mnt/mailhome/ /home
> > 
> > Also try "man rsync" to learn about the command options available.
> > 
> > Be careful, rsync really will delete files.  Be sure your 
> > source and target are correct before you accidentally wipe 
> > out a bunch of stuff.
> 
> Thanks Bill.  I figured I would ask just to be safe.  I saw the option
> in man rsync but it always makes me nervous.

One trick is to add -n to the options which will make rsync not
really do anything, but if you are also using -v it will show
you what would happen in a real run.   If everything looks
reasonable, then run it again without the -n to really do it.
When I build new servers I usually set the new one up with
a different name/ip address and rsync most stuff over ahead
of the switch and check that things generally work.  Then at
the last minute I shut down services on the old server, do
a final rsync of user data like /home and /var/spool/mail with
the --delete option on.  This goes quickly unless there are a
lot of changes. Then I change the names and IP numbers on both
servers and reboot so in a few minutes more than a reboot, the
new box takes over.

-- 
  Les Mikesell
    les at futuresource.com