RemoteSYNChronisation

What is TRsync?
How does it work?

Limitations
Evaluation vs. full version
Technical documentation ftp synchronization
Technical documentation network synchronization
Technical documentation ActiveSync synchronization
History

What is TRsync?

TRsync was formerly named Rsync, but has been renamed to avoid confusion with rsync from rsync.samba.org
TRsync is used to do a synchronisation or mirroring of a directory tree on two or more machines. Although TRsync was not especially written with ftp synchronisation/mirroring in mind, it can be used for this purpose!

TRsync can just show the differences between the directory trees or it can also create script files that will then perform the synchronisation/mirroring.

TRsync is able to

Create directories
Delete directories (trees)
Transfer files from local to remote and vice versa
Delete files on local and/or remote machine

TRsync comes with 3 sets of customized batch files:

'TRsync batchfiles ftp': This is used to synchronize/mirror 1 or more PCs with a ftp server.
'TRsync batchfiles network': This is used to synchronize/mirror 1 or more PCs with a network file server.
'TRsync batchfiles ActiveSync': This is used to synchronize/mirror 1 or more WinCE PDAs with a desktop PC over an ActiveSync connection.

How does it work?

You run TRsync on the local machine and have it create an index file of the local directory tree. You then do the same on the remote machine. Then, you transfer the remote index file to the local machine and have TRsync create a file containing all the differences between local and remote machine. Finally, TRsync will create (based on that difference file) the script files (for example simple batch files containing copy commands). You then start the script files to perform the synchronisation/mirroring.

The generation of the script files is highly configurable through the use of the TRsync.ini file. The following information is available to TRsync and can the used to create batch or script files:

command to be executed
options to the command
local and remote file path
local and remote file name
local and remote dir name
local and remote file date
local and remote file time

You can of course also define in what order the above infos should be used to create the script files. C/C++ programmers will quickly find out that the format string is compatible with the printf command...

Limitations

There are some limitations to TRsync:

TRsync works with local time. If several developers are working on the same web site and are located in different time zones, TRsync might have some problems in determining whether a remote file is newer or older than a local file. This problem will be solved by using UTC in some future version of TRsync.
TRsync does not have a nice user interface. If you are uneasy with batch file programming, TRsync is not for you!

Evaluation vs. full version

The evaluation version of TRsync supports all functions of the full version. The only limitation is the number of files that are being read when TRsync creates the index files. TRsync Eval will only support a maximum of 30 files. If it reaches this limit, it will tell you by displaying a message.

If your site has no more than 30 files, you are allowed to use TRsync Eval free of charge as long as you want.

Please make sure to read and accept the license terms before using TRsync or TRsync Eval!

The current version 1.5 of TRsync sells for 20 EUR (~20 USD) for the smallest license (1-4 systems). I accept all major currencies.
If you are interested in getting a full version copy, please send me an e-mail.