On Mon, 25 Mar 2002, Jon Walton wrote:

> Rsync is a program.   You can run it once an hour, once a day, or once a
> week etc... depending on your needs.   The main point is that it does not
> transfer a file unless that file has changed at the remote site, thus
> keeping bandwidth down to a bare minimum.   It can also be instructed to
> compress the file transfer if desired.

rsync is that good and more - I have friends who use rsync to maintain ISOs and
large tar files.  rsync will move only the changes not the whole changed
file(s).

One fellow who maintains a RedHat linux CD with all the lastest patches, etc,
uses rsync to update remote copies of the image.  This is one single file, and
only the changes are transfered.  rsync is intelligent enough to know where to
insert the bits, and maintains an exact copy, down to the bit, of your file(s).

> I was sceptical at first, but my experience has been very positive with
> this method.

I haven't used it myself, but this is a good solution for maintaining a copy of
remote sites' files.  Everyone I know who uses it thinks it is just great.  
Like any other r* tool, it should be tunneled through a secure link in public
space (SSH or VPN).

Regards,
Ron Lyman
Network Support
Moen Incorporated
(905) 829-3400 x 253