Moving files between local machine and server with ssh

Why use rsync for file transfers?

Unlike basic SCP (Secure Copy), rsync provides:

• Faster Transfers – Only transfers differences between files, reducing data usage.
• Resumable Transfers – If interrupted, rsync can continue from where it left off.
• Preservation of File Attributes – Keeps permissions, timestamps, symbolic links, etc.
• Downloading Files from a Server to Local Machine
• Run the following command in your local machine’s terminal (not on the remote server):

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1rsync -avz serverXXX@serverXXX.host.com:directory/data ~/Downloads/

What this command does:

Connects to the remote server (serverXXX.host.com§). Downloads the directory/data from the remote server to ~/Downloads/ on your local machine. Maintains file attributes and compresses data for efficiency. Uploading Files from Local Machine to Remote Server To send a file or folder to a remote server, use:

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1rsync -avz ~/Downloads/new-os server2X@server2X.host.com:second-directory

What this command does:

Transfers the directory directory from ~/Downloads/ on your local machine. Uploads it to the shb directory on the remote server (server2X.host.com). Ensures efficient and secure transfer using SSH.

Explanation of rsync options

Option Description

-a Archive mode (preserves permissions, timestamps, symbolic links, etc.) -v Verbose mode (displays progress) -z Compresses data during transfer for better performance

Additional useful rsync flags

--progress → Shows real-time progress of the transfer. --delete → Deletes files on the destination if they no longer exist on the source. -e "ssh -p PORT" → If your SSH server runs on a non-default port, specify it.

Conclusion

Using rsync over SSH is an efficient way to transfer files between your local machine and a remote server. It’s faster, more reliable, and preserves file attributes, making it a better alternative to scp.