Synchonizing data files and creating a NAS third data set

[Odyssey]

I am posting this in a linux forum, although it could be in networking (or another), because of the need for linux familiarity which is not as likely to be present in a networking forum.

Some time ago, I copied all the files from my Windoze computer over to a second hdd on my Ubunutu 8.04 machine and have been updating the folders with new docs, files, etc. I forgot to inform my wife who is linked to my old WXP computer and she has been happily updating those files. Now two sets of files.

So I now need to synchonize the two different sets of file into one and want to put that onto a NAS hdd on my network so that we are both accessing the same set of files in future.

I think one can do that with XCopy in Windows if you know the "start date" (i.e., the date I had copied the files over to my Ubunutu computer. But I don't know how to find that date, and once found how to issue the XCopy command in windows.

Also how would one duplicate that in Linux?

There may well be package software that will do this through a GUI

Hope I'm not too confused here. Anyone see a practical overall plan for this? TIA

[happybunny]

rsync

[Odyssey]

rsync?

Would this be the linux equivalent of xcopy or what? This newbie will appreciate some elaboration.

[happybunny]

http://www.samba.org/rsync/

yup

it has many options for over writing files based on date.

I did a quick search for a gui interface but couldn't find it but I"m sure there is one

[Odyssey]

And, given that one of the sets of files is on a Windows machine, what would be the steps that you would suggest? Copy the Win files/folders to the NAS and then synch with rsynch or what?

[folkert]

I would copy the files to your linux pc to a different dir, then see what rsync (synchronise in one direction) or fdupes (find duplicate files), or maybe something else (I expect there is a program to list differece between folders) can do for you to make it one set of files, before you drop the files in your nas.

[Odyssey]

folkert,

Thanks, but it is the programs (as well as method) that I am seeking.

Not sure I understand yours. What purpose is served by setting up a new directory on the linux machine and copying the linux files into it? Synchronization needs to occur between the two sets of files (one ext3, onc ntsf) and the synchronized result needs to go onto the NAS. Have I misunderstood yours?

[ph34r]

There are win32 rsync binaries available. Sync from windows to your linux file server.

[folkert]

What purpose is served by setting up a new directory on the linux machineI would like to work with copys of both, on one machine, to simplify things and have the original as backup. I assume moving your data to the nas is not the problem, but what files are modified in what data-set, and which of the two you should keep is the question you want to answer.

rsync can be used, but you will need an option to not overwrite newer files, possibly your date has been chanced when moving to linux. "man rsync" should tell you what option that is

When all files are in /copy/set1 en /copy/set2, you can experiment with rsync, fdupes and check a few files to see if things worked as planed

look at
diff -rq /copy/set1 /copy/set2
it might help you if you want to look at modified files manually (some files might have been edited on both machines, so only you can dicide what to keep)

[Odyssey]

That's very helpful. Many thanks.