Best way to Sync from source to multiple locations?

ancient said:

So for my purpose, could I for example put all the copies in one batch file? eg:

robocopy c:\test d:\test mir
robocopy c:\test e:\test mir
robocopy c:\test e:\test mir

Yes, that's it. Just different lines of the same batch file and the commands run one after the other without any further action being needed on your part.

There are errors in your syntax by the way and I'd suggest making use of some additional switches

Code:

robocopy c:\test d:\test /E /MIR /DCOPY:DAT /R:10 /MT:32 >"D:\Desktop\RoboCopy.Log"
robocopy c:\test e:\test /E /MIR /DCOPY:DAT /R:10 /MT:32 >>"D:\Desktop\RoboCopy.Log"
robocopy c:\test e:\test /E /MIR /DCOPY:DAT /R:10 /MT:32 >>"D:\Desktop\RoboCopy.Log"

- each of these is explained in the thread I linked you to before or in further links given in that thread
- they are also explained in response to the command RoboCopy /? [its built-in Help]
- /E includes subfolders
- /DCOPY:DAT includes folder date-time stamps being carried across
- /R:10 makes it try 10 times if it finds problems
- /MT:32 lets it run in parallel with itself and gets the job done much, much quicker
- I use the >"D:\Desktop\RoboCopy.Log" bit to create a log I can check if anything unexpected takes place. Naturally, you'll need to choose your own folder & filename.

Denis

And, if you are going to use it, post back here with as many questions as you want.

I tried to explain everything I thought was worthwhile in that thread How do I backup files with Robocopy instead of SyncToy but this may not answer everything that you'd like to check.

I use RoboCopy to back up my own files to xHDDs as well as to back them all up to my other computers from the master computer so I can use my own files on the others when it suits me.

Denis

Looks good, just to confirm, it looks like if I use /mir it includes /e and /purge
Also is /DCOPY DAT (took out the: as it turns it into a smiley ) the older version of dcopy:t ?

Lastly am I right in saying the log file only generates within a folder?, in my example below only the top entry generates the log.
The bottom 2 no log, I assume because logging to the root won't work?
I am using:
robocopy c:\a\test c:\b /mir /mt:32 /dcopy:t /log:"c:\aaa\log b.log"
robocopy c:\a\test c:\c /mir /mt:32 /dcopy:t /log:"c:\log c.log"
robocopy c:\a\test c:\d /mir /mt:32 /dcopy:t /log:"c:\log d.log"

I also could not see to any reference to using a chevron ">" ?

"/mir it includes /e and /purge" - Yes, you are right. At least one job I have for RoboCopy omits /MIR and I seem to have just left /E in my standard use even when using /MIR.

"DCopy:DAT" and "DCopy:T" - as you'll see in that linked thread, there was confusion about this one. I'm continuing to use DCopy:DAT until I set aside enough time to experiment with these differences. I imagine that I will eventually accept that the SS64 version DCopy:T is correct.

About logs - I have never used the log switches and I redirect my command outputs as shown to create logs of my own [hence the > and >>]. If your log switches are working you can omit my >> & > "D:\Desktop\RoboCopy.Log" entries. I have been using RoboCopy for so long that I might have tried the logs in 2006 or earlier, had a problem then ignored them ever since.

Denis

Lastly am I right in saying the log file only generates within a folder?, in my example below only the top entry generates the log. The bottom 2 no log, I assume because logging to the root won't work?

Yes, Windows applies special protection to the root of C:\.

You can see this in action in File explorer. Go to C:\ then right-click in a blank area & hover the cursor over New. The only item you can create there is a folder.

By the way, you can also stop the smiley being put into your posts by selecting the text concerned and clicking in the post editing toolbar on the icon that looks like >_ {screentip Wrap [c] tags around selected text}. The text then looks a bit like it is on a button [several examples in my posts].

Denis