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Using rsync to Mirror Data to a Different Server

Like many things on this blog, I don’t use this enough to remember the full command when I need it. Like always, don’t just copy and paste this information. Use the man pages to verify what it is that you need to do.

rsync -a -v --delete --update --stats /path/to/local/data/ user@<server-name>:/path/to/folder/

This version of the command essentially maintains ownership and permissions while allowing for file changes, including file deletions, to be copied from the local server to another server. It mirrors the data on the local server to a second server. It also provides a listing of statistics when the command has completed.

A similar command using robocopy on MS systems was posted at an earlier date and can be found here:

Moving large amounts of data between Windows file servers using robocopy
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Accessing a Windows Share from the Native Windows Command Prompt

I needed to run a application installer from a share located on a server. I knew I could use “net use” to map the drive but I remembered that there was an easier way but couldn’t recall the command. After some searching I found it:

pushd \\<server>\<share>

Then after you are done accessing the share:

popd

Per the docs, pushd will start at the drive letter “Z” and work its way back until the next unused drive letter is found and use that letter for the mapping.

As a “net use” refresher to map a drive:

net use z: \\<server>\<share>

Of course there are other switches available so to get help:

net use /?

And since “net use” is part of the “net” command:

net /?
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Windows Server Broken Update Fix

Updates can break on Windows Server for a number of reasons, so this is not an all encompassing fix. But over the years I have seen this occasionally. What happens is that the server does not update and when you attempt a manual update via the Windows Updates setting screen, the updates never download: the downloads are typically stuck at 0% complete. This is apparently due to a corruption of the files within the “C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution” folder. Because the update process is hung, the update service also appears to be hung up so the process to repair the problem is slightly more involved that one would expect.

First, open the services control applet:

-Click the "Start" Button
-Type "services.msc"
-Set Windows Update to "disabled"
-Reboot the server

Once the server has re-started, verify that the Windows Update service is not running:

-Click the "Start" Button
-Type "services.msc"

Rename the SoftwareDistribution folder:

Rename C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution to SoftwareDistribution.old

Reset the update service:

-Click the "Start" Button
-Type "services.msc"
-Set windows update to "manual"
-Start the service

Now manually run the updates and make sure they are downloaded and installed. Then perform the required server reboot.