Hi everyone! I'm diving into using rsync and I first tried the command `rsync -anchuv a/ b/`. But when I later did a reverse sync `rsync -anchuv b/ a/`, I noticed the permissions don't match up between the two directories, a/ and b/. I read that the `-p` option is for preserving permissions. So, how can I ignore permissions when syncing? Should I be using something like `-apn` instead? Also, I've been told that the flags chuv are older, and I'm wondering if using `-r` instead of the `-a` option is outdated. Any advice would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!
4 Answers
If you're feeling overwhelmed, know that rsync can be tricky at first! Just to add on, the `--no-perms` option should theoretically let you bypass preserving permissions, but I’m not sure how effective it is in practice. The key is really understanding that files carry their permissions and ownerships and they shouldn't just be ignored if you're aiming for accurate backups. It’s best to get comfy with how rsync works so you can channel its full power!
By default, rsync uses the system's umask for permissions, so you don't have to preserve them unless you specify that. If you use the `-a` option, it preserves permissions along with other attributes. To ignore permissions, just leave out the `-p` flag; you can rely on the default umask settings for the copied files. Keep in mind that `-a` is for archiving and includes preserving permissions, so if you want a backup that doesn't worry about permissions, just use `rsync -rnv` (the `-r` flag for recursive, and `-n` to do a dry run). Let rsync handle it without the additional permissions complexity!
You might be looking for `rsync -a --no-perms` if you want to avoid preserving permissions. It’s similar to what you were asking about—while the -a flag puts everything in a package including permissions, `--no-perms` specifically tells rsync to ignore that part. Just keep in mind it may be tricky, so test it out with the `-n` (dry run) option first to see how it behaves without changing things yet!
I've got to agree with TechieDave88 here. Permissions aren't something you can just ignore since every file has its own set of permissions and ownership. If you're looking for a true mirror, `-a` is the best way to go even though it seems cumbersome with permissions. Consider your backup as a complete copy of the original files, including permissions. It saves headaches down the line when restoring. Stick with `-a`, and you'll have a faithful backup, which is what matters most in the end.
Thanks for clarifying! So just to double-check, if I want a simple backup without messing with permissions, sticking with `-rnv` is the way to go? That makes it sound a lot easier!