What is rsync over SSH used for?

Rsync over SSH is used for securely synchronizing files between remote systems, leveraging SSH for encrypted data transfer.

How do I copy files using rsync and SSH?

Use the command: rsync -avzP -e "ssh" /path/to/source/ user@host:/path/to/destination/ to copy files securely via SSH.

What are the best rsync options for backups?

For backups, use rsync with -a for archive mode, --delete to remove deleted files, and --dry-run for testing the command first.

Can I use rsync over a custom SSH port?

Yes, specify a custom port with rsync -e "ssh -p PORT" to use a non-default SSH port.

Is SSH multiplexing supported in rsync?

Yes, advanced users can use SSH multiplexing with rsync by specifying ControlMaster and ControlPath options for faster repeated sessions.

HiddenSSH - Secure OpenSSH Hardening

rsync

Rsync

By using ssh+rsync in combination, you got pretty powerful file transfer tool, unlike scp rsync over ssh is much more flexible, like swiss army knife.

rsync -avzP --partial -e "ssh" /tmp/large.tar.gz user1@httpd.hiddenssh.net:/tmp/large.tar.gz

-e "ssh" → Uses **SSH** as the transport method for secure file transfers

-a → Preserves file permissions, timestamps, symbolic links, and directories
-v → Enables **verbose mode** to see details during the transfer
-z → Compresses data for **faster transfers** over slow connections
--partial / -P → Keeps **partially transferred files** if interrupted (useful for large files)
--progress → Displays real-time **progress** per file


    




    📌 Copying Files Locally with Rsync  
    Rsync is not limited to remote transfers—it can be used for **local file copies** with better speed and efficiency than `cp`:

rsync -av /tmp/file.tar.gz /dev/shm/ 



🚀 Rsync vs. Traditional Commands  
Rsync is not just a file copier it outperforms cp mv and even rm -rf with; better speed, incremental updates, and error recovery.




    🔹 More Useful Rsync Options:
rsync --remove-source-files → Moves files (like `mv` but safer, keeping empty directories)
rsync --delete → Deletes files from the destination that no longer exist in the source
rsync --dry-run → Simulates the command **without making changes**
rsync -e "ssh -p 2222" → Uses a custom **SSH port (e.g., 2222)**
rsync --bwlimit=1000 → Limits bandwidth usage (in KB/s) to **prevent network congestion**


    



    🔹 Advanced Rsync SSH Options:

rsync -e "ssh -i ~/.ssh/id_rsa" → Uses a **specific SSH key** for authentication
rsync -e "ssh -o StrictHostKeyChecking=no" → **Disables SSH host key verification**
rsync -e "ssh -C" → **Enables SSH compression**, useful for slow connections
rsync -e "ssh -o ControlMaster=auto -o ControlPath=/tmp/ssh_mux_%h_%p_%r -o ControlPersist=600" →
   Uses **SSH multiplexing** for multiple rsync sessions, reducing authentication overhead
rsync -e "ssh -T" → Disables SSH pseudo-terminal allocation (useful in scripts)