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How to copy files \ directories \ filesystems via network.

That small article give a view of content copying task via network. I want do this on my homeserver upgrade, copy all info from working “old” server, to “new” server partition, for can make access a data and config files, for bring “new” server in state it looks be similar of “old” one, before switch “old” off, and set “new” instead it. In examples, i work from “new” server CLI, it has IP 192.168.0.14 “Old” server has IP 192.168.0.1, both in in one subnet.

Files \ single folder copying

If you need a copy of standalone files or folders, you can use an scp util:

scp -r -v -p root@192.168.0.1:/etc /From_Old_Server

There:

  • -r key do recursively, i e copy all data in etc folder and its subfolders
  • -p key preserve file attributes, like a creation, modification times
  • -v gives us verbose output.

in there example we copy “etc” folder from 192.168.0.1 computer ( actually, “Old” server), to folder /From_Old_Server in local computer ( “new” server).

Sadly, but that command ( scp ) cannot copy whole system disk, contains /proc, /dev and even /Lost+Found catalog, who is it in extX filesystem partition - at that places scp stuck and stops.

Thanks to Patrick, “Volkerdi” gives us workaround for that situation:

Copy whole filesystem

command

ssh root@192.168.0.1 “(cd / ; tar cf - . )” | (mkdir -p /From_Old_Server ; cd /From_Old_Server ; umask 000 ; tar xvf -)

help us transfer full filesystems without stuck and pain from “old” to “new” computer.

Sources

* Originally written byJohn Ciemgals 2013/02/10 03:51 * With help from Patrick Volkerding

 howtos:general_admin:files_filesystem_copying_over_network ()