how to use cpio to transfer files from one server to another

[Shawn Miller_2]

What is the syntax and commands that I need to cpio a whole directory with all its files to another server. I will be coping large files and links. The links need to be copied as links.

[Pete Randall]

cd /nfs/servername/dirname
find . -print |cpio -pdumxl /otherdir

That's my method, anyway.


Pete

[Shawn Miller_2]

The /otherdir is on another server. How do I go about doing that. I do not want to create an archive file then ftp that archive file over. I would like this all done in one line. Any suggestions.

[Pete Randall]

Shawn,

That's where NFS comes in. I'm starting from the target server when I do my "cd /nfs/otherserver/dirname". If you're not using NFS, then the technique would obviously need to be different.


Pete

[Richard Pereira_1]

Sorry man, CPIO doesnt natively understand network tranfers. You'll have to archive and then it ftp over.

Try this syntax
# find . -print | cpio -pdmuv > /tmp/myarchive.cpio

Test it out, but this syntax should keep the ownerships and permissions intact.

Good luck

[curt larson_1 · Accepted solution]

a link to where this has been answered before

[Broken link removed on <4/18/2017> by Mod]

On machine A
=============
# cd /data2
# (find . -xdev|cpio -coax) | remsh machineB "cd /data2;cpio -icdmula"

and you can use tar in a similar way

[Shawn Miller_2]

I have done this in the distant past and forgot how I did it. But with in the same line using pipes I created the archive then used something like rcp to copy and then unarchived it into the destination directory. That way I do not need to find space on the current system for the archive file that then needs to be ftp or rcp over. Does anyone have an idea on how that is done.

[Pete Randall]

Shawn,

It looks like Curt's solution should do the job for you.


Pete

[Robert-Jan Goossens]

Hi,

# cd /source
# find . | cpio -ov | remsh server_name " cd /copy ; cpio -idvum "

Regards,
Robert-Jan

[Shawn Miller_2]

Thanks everyone. Here is what I ended up using.

(find . -xdev|cpio -coa) | remsh serverB "cd /p01; cpio -icdmul"

The -a and -m were exclusive and it was important to have it on for the first cpio and to have the -m for the second.