Robocopy /MIR question

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Bill Artman

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I am using Robocopy GUI 3.1.2.0 with Windows Scheduler to to copy/sync a
folder from a client PC to a shared folder on a Microsoft Windows Home
Server. The scheduler runs Robocopy every hour.

I want to use the /MIR Switch to copy everything from the Client PC folder
to the WHS shared folder and when a file changes or is deleted in the Client
folder the change will be copied to the WHS shared folder or the file I ill
be deleted in the WHS folder.

People on other forums have told me that the /MIR switch purges/deletes the
entire destination (WHS) folder when a source file change occurs then
Robocopy copies the entire source folder to the destination folder again.

Is this correct?

I assumed that when the /MIR switch was used the changed files in the source
folder would be copied again to the destination folder or they would be
deleted in the destination folder when the source folder file was deleted. I
didn't think the entire destination folder would be delete and then re-copied
from the source.

Which scenario is correct?

Thanks for your help!






--
Regards,

Bill Artman
 
RE: Robocopy /MIR question

I think I just answered my own question. I just did a test where I deleted
10 files in the source folder and immediately checked the Windows Home Server
destination folder and all the files were there EXCEPT the 10 files that I
deleted in the source folder. All the files in the destination folder were
not purged only the ones that were deleted in the source folder.

--
Regards,

Bill Artman


"Bill Artman" wrote:

> I am using Robocopy GUI 3.1.2.0 with Windows Scheduler to to copy/sync a
> folder from a client PC to a shared folder on a Microsoft Windows Home
> Server. The scheduler runs Robocopy every hour.
>
> I want to use the /MIR Switch to copy everything from the Client PC folder
> to the WHS shared folder and when a file changes or is deleted in the Client
> folder the change will be copied to the WHS shared folder or the file I ill
> be deleted in the WHS folder.
>
> People on other forums have told me that the /MIR switch purges/deletes the
> entire destination (WHS) folder when a source file change occurs then
> Robocopy copies the entire source folder to the destination folder again.
>
> Is this correct?
>
> I assumed that when the /MIR switch was used the changed files in the source
> folder would be copied again to the destination folder or they would be
> deleted in the destination folder when the source folder file was deleted. I
> didn't think the entire destination folder would be delete and then re-copied
> from the source.
>
> Which scenario is correct?
>
> Thanks for your help!
>
>
>
>
>
>
> --
> Regards,
>
> Bill Artman
 
Re: Robocopy /MIR question

Bill Artman <BillArtman@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote:
> I think I just answered my own question. I just did a test where I
> deleted 10 files in the source folder and immediately checked the
> Windows Home Server destination folder and all the files were there
> EXCEPT the 10 files that I deleted in the source folder. All the
> files in the destination folder were not purged only the ones that
> were deleted in the source folder.

Yep. Robocopy is great.
My question is, though - since one of the main features touted in WHS is
remote client backups, why aren't you using that?
>
>
>> I am using Robocopy GUI 3.1.2.0 with Windows Scheduler to to
>> copy/sync a folder from a client PC to a shared folder on a
>> Microsoft Windows Home Server. The scheduler runs Robocopy every
>> hour.
>>
>> I want to use the /MIR Switch to copy everything from the Client PC
>> folder to the WHS shared folder and when a file changes or is
>> deleted in the Client folder the change will be copied to the WHS
>> shared folder or the file I ill be deleted in the WHS folder.
>>
>> People on other forums have told me that the /MIR switch
>> purges/deletes the entire destination (WHS) folder when a source
>> file change occurs then Robocopy copies the entire source folder to
>> the destination folder again.
>>
>> Is this correct?
>>
>> I assumed that when the /MIR switch was used the changed files in
>> the source folder would be copied again to the destination folder or
>> they would be deleted in the destination folder when the source
>> folder file was deleted. I didn't think the entire destination
>> folder would be delete and then re-copied from the source.
>>
>> Which scenario is correct?
>>
>> Thanks for your help!
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> --
>> Regards,
>>
>> Bill Artman
 
Re: Robocopy /MIR question


I am a profesional photographer that is using Windows Home Server as a
backup server for 3 client XP machines. Each night WHS automatically backs
up each client machine. I have just started using Robocopy on the client PC
that I do all my PhotoShop work on my images to get them ready for my color
lab. I am using Robocopy to copy every 2 hours any file changes (my
PhotoShop work) to a WHS shared folder. My thinking is that way if the
client hard drive fails before the nightly backup between Midnight and 6 A.M.
I won't loose very much of the PhotoShop work I have done on my images
during the day.

I was considering also using the /MON and /MOT switch with Robocopy to
constantly monitor the folder for changes but I decided to use the Windows
Scheduler to run Robocopy every 2 hours.

I would appreciate your thoughts on my process.

Thanks!



--
Regards,

Bill Artman


"Lanwench [MVP - Exchange]" wrote:

> Bill Artman <BillArtman@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote:
> > I think I just answered my own question. I just did a test where I
> > deleted 10 files in the source folder and immediately checked the
> > Windows Home Server destination folder and all the files were there
> > EXCEPT the 10 files that I deleted in the source folder. All the
> > files in the destination folder were not purged only the ones that
> > were deleted in the source folder.
>
> Yep. Robocopy is great.
> My question is, though - since one of the main features touted in WHS is
> remote client backups, why aren't you using that?
> >
> >
> >> I am using Robocopy GUI 3.1.2.0 with Windows Scheduler to to
> >> copy/sync a folder from a client PC to a shared folder on a
> >> Microsoft Windows Home Server. The scheduler runs Robocopy every
> >> hour.
> >>
> >> I want to use the /MIR Switch to copy everything from the Client PC
> >> folder to the WHS shared folder and when a file changes or is
> >> deleted in the Client folder the change will be copied to the WHS
> >> shared folder or the file I ill be deleted in the WHS folder.
> >>
> >> People on other forums have told me that the /MIR switch
> >> purges/deletes the entire destination (WHS) folder when a source
> >> file change occurs then Robocopy copies the entire source folder to
> >> the destination folder again.
> >>
> >> Is this correct?
> >>
> >> I assumed that when the /MIR switch was used the changed files in
> >> the source folder would be copied again to the destination folder or
> >> they would be deleted in the destination folder when the source
> >> folder file was deleted. I didn't think the entire destination
> >> folder would be delete and then re-copied from the source.
> >>
> >> Which scenario is correct?
> >>
> >> Thanks for your help!
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> --
> >> Regards,
> >>
> >> Bill Artman
>
>
>
>
 
Re: Robocopy /MIR question

Bill Artman <BillArtman@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote:
> I am a profesional photographer that is using Windows Home Server as a
> backup server for 3 client XP machines. Each night WHS automatically
> backs up each client machine. I have just started using Robocopy on
> the client PC that I do all my PhotoShop work on my images to get
> them ready for my color lab. I am using Robocopy to copy every 2
> hours any file changes (my PhotoShop work) to a WHS shared folder.
> My thinking is that way if the client hard drive fails before the
> nightly backup between Midnight and 6 A.M. I won't loose very much of
> the PhotoShop work I have done on my images during the day.

Yes, that's true.
>
> I was considering also using the /MON and /MOT switch with Robocopy to
> constantly monitor the folder for changes but I decided to use the
> Windows Scheduler to run Robocopy every 2 hours.

That's good, although files in use won't be copied, of course.
>
> I would appreciate your thoughts on my process.

I think that sounds fine, if it's working for you now. Nice to hear that
people are concerned with backups. The only thing I might add is, you may
want to think about off-site storage of some of your backup media, just in
case something happens to your server or you need more revision levels.
>
> Thanks!
>
>
>
>
>> Bill Artman <BillArtman@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote:
>>> I think I just answered my own question. I just did a test where I
>>> deleted 10 files in the source folder and immediately checked the
>>> Windows Home Server destination folder and all the files were there
>>> EXCEPT the 10 files that I deleted in the source folder. All the
>>> files in the destination folder were not purged only the ones that
>>> were deleted in the source folder.
>>
>> Yep. Robocopy is great.
>> My question is, though - since one of the main features touted in
>> WHS is remote client backups, why aren't you using that?
>>>
>>>
>>>> I am using Robocopy GUI 3.1.2.0 with Windows Scheduler to to
>>>> copy/sync a folder from a client PC to a shared folder on a
>>>> Microsoft Windows Home Server. The scheduler runs Robocopy every
>>>> hour.
>>>>
>>>> I want to use the /MIR Switch to copy everything from the Client PC
>>>> folder to the WHS shared folder and when a file changes or is
>>>> deleted in the Client folder the change will be copied to the WHS
>>>> shared folder or the file I ill be deleted in the WHS folder.
>>>>
>>>> People on other forums have told me that the /MIR switch
>>>> purges/deletes the entire destination (WHS) folder when a source
>>>> file change occurs then Robocopy copies the entire source folder to
>>>> the destination folder again.
>>>>
>>>> Is this correct?
>>>>
>>>> I assumed that when the /MIR switch was used the changed files in
>>>> the source folder would be copied again to the destination folder
>>>> or they would be deleted in the destination folder when the source
>>>> folder file was deleted. I didn't think the entire destination
>>>> folder would be delete and then re-copied from the source.
>>>>
>>>> Which scenario is correct?
>>>>
>>>> Thanks for your help!
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> --
>>>> Regards,
>>>>
>>>> Bill Artman
 
Re: Robocopy /MIR question


Thanks for your thoughts!

You are correct I should consider off site backup. I good IT friend of mine
recommended fabrik.com which is an online backup service. I am thinking
about using them.

--
Regards,

Bill Artman


"Lanwench [MVP - Exchange]" wrote:

> Bill Artman <BillArtman@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote:
> > I am a profesional photographer that is using Windows Home Server as a
> > backup server for 3 client XP machines. Each night WHS automatically
> > backs up each client machine. I have just started using Robocopy on
> > the client PC that I do all my PhotoShop work on my images to get
> > them ready for my color lab. I am using Robocopy to copy every 2
> > hours any file changes (my PhotoShop work) to a WHS shared folder.
> > My thinking is that way if the client hard drive fails before the
> > nightly backup between Midnight and 6 A.M. I won't loose very much of
> > the PhotoShop work I have done on my images during the day.
>
> Yes, that's true.
> >
> > I was considering also using the /MON and /MOT switch with Robocopy to
> > constantly monitor the folder for changes but I decided to use the
> > Windows Scheduler to run Robocopy every 2 hours.
>
> That's good, although files in use won't be copied, of course.
> >
> > I would appreciate your thoughts on my process.
>
> I think that sounds fine, if it's working for you now. Nice to hear that
> people are concerned with backups. The only thing I might add is, you may
> want to think about off-site storage of some of your backup media, just in
> case something happens to your server or you need more revision levels.
> >
> > Thanks!
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >> Bill Artman <BillArtman@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote:
> >>> I think I just answered my own question. I just did a test where I
> >>> deleted 10 files in the source folder and immediately checked the
> >>> Windows Home Server destination folder and all the files were there
> >>> EXCEPT the 10 files that I deleted in the source folder. All the
> >>> files in the destination folder were not purged only the ones that
> >>> were deleted in the source folder.
> >>
> >> Yep. Robocopy is great.
> >> My question is, though - since one of the main features touted in
> >> WHS is remote client backups, why aren't you using that?
> >>>
> >>>
> >>>> I am using Robocopy GUI 3.1.2.0 with Windows Scheduler to to
> >>>> copy/sync a folder from a client PC to a shared folder on a
> >>>> Microsoft Windows Home Server. The scheduler runs Robocopy every
> >>>> hour.
> >>>>
> >>>> I want to use the /MIR Switch to copy everything from the Client PC
> >>>> folder to the WHS shared folder and when a file changes or is
> >>>> deleted in the Client folder the change will be copied to the WHS
> >>>> shared folder or the file I ill be deleted in the WHS folder.
> >>>>
> >>>> People on other forums have told me that the /MIR switch
> >>>> purges/deletes the entire destination (WHS) folder when a source
> >>>> file change occurs then Robocopy copies the entire source folder to
> >>>> the destination folder again.
> >>>>
> >>>> Is this correct?
> >>>>
> >>>> I assumed that when the /MIR switch was used the changed files in
> >>>> the source folder would be copied again to the destination folder
> >>>> or they would be deleted in the destination folder when the source
> >>>> folder file was deleted. I didn't think the entire destination
> >>>> folder would be delete and then re-copied from the source.
> >>>>
> >>>> Which scenario is correct?
> >>>>
> >>>> Thanks for your help!
> >>>>
> >>>>
> >>>>
> >>>>
> >>>>
> >>>>
> >>>> --
> >>>> Regards,
> >>>>
> >>>> Bill Artman
>
>
>
>
>
 
Re: Robocopy /MIR question

Bill Artman <BillArtman@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote:
> Thanks for your thoughts!
>
> You are correct I should consider off site backup. I good IT friend
> of mine recommended fabrik.com which is an online backup service. I
> am thinking about using them.

There are many options - my current fave is www.intronis.com (they have an
eval). But note that photos don't compress, so you may end up spending more
than you like.

>
>
>> Bill Artman <BillArtman@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote:
>>> I am a profesional photographer that is using Windows Home Server
>>> as a backup server for 3 client XP machines. Each night WHS
>>> automatically backs up each client machine. I have just started
>>> using Robocopy on the client PC that I do all my PhotoShop work on
>>> my images to get them ready for my color lab. I am using Robocopy
>>> to copy every 2 hours any file changes (my PhotoShop work) to a WHS
>>> shared folder.
>>> My thinking is that way if the client hard drive fails before the
>>> nightly backup between Midnight and 6 A.M. I won't loose very much
>>> of the PhotoShop work I have done on my images during the day.
>>
>> Yes, that's true.
>>>
>>> I was considering also using the /MON and /MOT switch with Robocopy
>>> to constantly monitor the folder for changes but I decided to use
>>> the Windows Scheduler to run Robocopy every 2 hours.
>>
>> That's good, although files in use won't be copied, of course.
>>>
>>> I would appreciate your thoughts on my process.
>>
>> I think that sounds fine, if it's working for you now. Nice to hear
>> that people are concerned with backups. The only thing I might add
>> is, you may want to think about off-site storage of some of your
>> backup media, just in case something happens to your server or you
>> need more revision levels.
>>>
>>> Thanks!
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>> Bill Artman <BillArtman@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote:
>>>>> I think I just answered my own question. I just did a test where
>>>>> I deleted 10 files in the source folder and immediately checked
>>>>> the Windows Home Server destination folder and all the files were
>>>>> there EXCEPT the 10 files that I deleted in the source folder.
>>>>> All the files in the destination folder were not purged only the
>>>>> ones that were deleted in the source folder.
>>>>
>>>> Yep. Robocopy is great.
>>>> My question is, though - since one of the main features touted in
>>>> WHS is remote client backups, why aren't you using that?
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>> I am using Robocopy GUI 3.1.2.0 with Windows Scheduler to to
>>>>>> copy/sync a folder from a client PC to a shared folder on a
>>>>>> Microsoft Windows Home Server. The scheduler runs Robocopy every
>>>>>> hour.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> I want to use the /MIR Switch to copy everything from the Client
>>>>>> PC folder to the WHS shared folder and when a file changes or is
>>>>>> deleted in the Client folder the change will be copied to the WHS
>>>>>> shared folder or the file I ill be deleted in the WHS folder.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> People on other forums have told me that the /MIR switch
>>>>>> purges/deletes the entire destination (WHS) folder when a source
>>>>>> file change occurs then Robocopy copies the entire source folder
>>>>>> to the destination folder again.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Is this correct?
>>>>>>
>>>>>> I assumed that when the /MIR switch was used the changed files in
>>>>>> the source folder would be copied again to the destination folder
>>>>>> or they would be deleted in the destination folder when the
>>>>>> source folder file was deleted. I didn't think the entire
>>>>>> destination folder would be delete and then re-copied from the
>>>>>> source.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Which scenario is correct?
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Thanks for your help!
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> --
>>>>>> Regards,
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Bill Artman
 
Re: Robocopy /MIR question

Bill Artman wrote:
> I am using Robocopy GUI 3.1.2.0 with Windows Scheduler to to copy/sync a
> folder from a client PC to a shared folder on a Microsoft Windows Home
> Server. The scheduler runs Robocopy every hour.
>
> I want to use the /MIR Switch to copy everything from the Client PC folder
> to the WHS shared folder and when a file changes or is deleted in the Client
> folder the change will be copied to the WHS shared folder or the file I ill
> be deleted in the WHS folder.
>
> People on other forums have told me that the /MIR switch purges/deletes the
> entire destination (WHS) folder when a source file change occurs then
> Robocopy copies the entire source folder to the destination folder again.
>
> Is this correct?
>
> I assumed that when the /MIR switch was used the changed files in the source
> folder would be copied again to the destination folder or they would be
> deleted in the destination folder when the source folder file was deleted. I
> didn't think the entire destination folder would be delete and then re-copied
> from the source.
>
> Which scenario is correct?
>
> Thanks for your help!
>
>
>
>
>
>

Robocopy seems a bit of overkill here... I usually recommend SncToy or,
my preference, Karen's Replicator. Both are free and with lots of
options....

--

Regards,
Hank Arnold
Microsoft MVP
Windows Server - Directory Services
 
Re: Robocopy /MIR question

Hank Arnold (MVP) <rasilon@aol.com> wrote:
> Bill Artman wrote:
>> I am using Robocopy GUI 3.1.2.0 with Windows Scheduler to to
>> copy/sync a folder from a client PC to a shared folder on a
>> Microsoft Windows Home Server. The scheduler runs Robocopy every
>> hour. I want to use the /MIR Switch to copy everything from the Client PC
>> folder to the WHS shared folder and when a file changes or is
>> deleted in the Client folder the change will be copied to the WHS
>> shared folder or the file I ill be deleted in the WHS folder.
>>
>> People on other forums have told me that the /MIR switch
>> purges/deletes the entire destination (WHS) folder when a source
>> file change occurs then Robocopy copies the entire source folder to
>> the destination folder again. Is this correct?
>>
>> I assumed that when the /MIR switch was used the changed files in
>> the source folder would be copied again to the destination folder or
>> they would be deleted in the destination folder when the source
>> folder file was deleted. I didn't think the entire destination
>> folder would be delete and then re-copied from the source.
>>
>> Which scenario is correct?
>>
>> Thanks for your help!
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>
> Robocopy seems a bit of overkill here...

Hmmm. Why do you think so? It's really very wonderful and not difficult to
use once you get familiar with the parameters. I use it everywhere, on home
PCs and servers and domain workstations, etc etc etc.

> I usually recommend SncToy
> or, my preference, Karen's Replicator. Both are free and with lots of
> options....
 
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