Tutorial 3: Set up the mirror copy for all files

Task:
Set up the mirror copy for all files, except temporary files (*.tmp; *.old; *.~*; *.bak) from work folders to backup folders include time zones differences between New York (GMT-05:00) and San Francisco (GMT-08:00).

Mirror copy is one of the most frequently used operation type. It is used for saving your important files into another storage location and clearing backup folders from old files at the same time.

Mirror copy is the program which copies only files that have been changed since previous backup, and new files which are not present in backup folders. Files are compared by a date and time of the last change (comparison rules of a job). The particularity of mirror copy is in removing old files which existing in backup folders and copying new files at the same time. So the backup folders will be made identical to the source work folders.

For example, you have four work folders which you do want to mirror copy:

Work's foldersBackup folders
c:\My documentsx:\Backup\My documents
c:\My projectsx:\Backup\My projects
c:\My stuffx:\Backup\My stuff
c:\My articlesx:\Backup\My articles

Solution:
The task is divided into two steps:
Step 1: Creating a new job for mirror copy
Step 2: The job execution

Step 1: Creating a new job for mirror copy

  • To create a new Job, click the button New Job on the main toolbar or press Ctrl+N shortcut. This opens the Job wizard window.

  • In the window Job wizard on the page Job settings type a name for your Job. For example, 'Mirror copy to Backup'. Choose the page Comparing folders by clicking on the appropriate item in the list which occupies top-left part of the Job wizard window.

  • On the page Comparing folders you should add folders pairs for comparison and synchronization. You can add pairs to your Job by choosing them from folder trees. Click on the Add pair button or press Ins shortcut. The window Add/Edit a pair will be displayed.

  • In the window Add a pair choose the folder "c:\My documents" in the left tree, and the folder "x:\Backup\My documents" in the right tree. Click on the button Ok to add these selected folders. The pair "c:\My documents <-> x:\Backup\My documents" will be added into the Folder pairs list.

  • Using the same way, add another pairs into Folder pairs list:
       "c:\My projects <-> x:\Backup\My projects"
       "c:\My stuff <-> x:\Backup\My stuff"
       "c:\My articles <-> x:\Backup\My articles"
    When you add pairs jump to the page File filters.

  • On the page File filters you should set exclude file filter for temporary files. To do this, turn on the check Use exclude file filter and enter *.tmp; *.old; *.~*; *.bak in the drop-down list. Choose the page Synchronize methods when you complete the filter form.

  • Select the Mirror copy files from Left to Right method on the page Synchronize methods. This method copies all newer, single files and empty folders from Left to Right and delete all single files and empty folders in the Right folders. So the Right folders (backup folders) will be made identical to the Left side folders (work's folders). After this go to the Comparison rules page.

  • On the page Comparison rules turn on checks: Size, Timestamp, Attributes. Turn on the check Adjust timezone and type 3 (difference in time between GMT-05:00 and GMT-08:00) in the string Ignore filetime differences in hours to includes time zones differences.

  • Click the button Save Job to save a created job. The job 'Mirror copy to Backup' will appear in the Main window.

    Step 2: The job execution

  • The state of the job 'Mirror copy to Backup' will be nothing. It means that the job is in manual mode. You can execute the job manually at any time you wish. Select the job 'Mirror copy to Backup' and click the Execute selected Job(s) button on the main toolbar or use Ctrl+R shortcut.

  • You can execute the job in detailed mode. Choose the job 'Mirror copy to Backup' and click the button Visual run on the main toolbar.

  • You can also set up automatic job execution. See Tutorial 1 - Set up automatic synchronization on every hour on all days except Saturday and Sunday -.

    Notes:

  • To view information about job settings click the button Job info on the main toolbar.
  • To edit job settings click the button Edit job on the main toolbar. Editing job turn off scheduler settings.

    See also:
       Quick start tutorial