Synchronize Folders

This task allows you to synchronize two folders.

Action

Three synchronization modes are supported. Be careful when using the Unidirectional Mirror mode; because newer files can be replaced by older files, and unpaired files are deleted.

1) Bi-directional Mirror
All unpaired files and folders in the Source are copied to the Target.
All unpaired files and folders in the Target are copied to the Source.
Older files in the Target are replaced with their newer counterpart in the Source.
Older files in the Source are replaced with their newer counterpart in the Target.

2) Unidirectional Copy
All unpaired files and folders in the Source are copied to the Target.
Older files in the Target are replaced with their newer counterpart in the Source.

3) Unidirectional Mirror
All unpaired files and folders in the Source are copied to the Target.
Older files in the Target are replaced with their newer counterpart in the Source.
Newer files in the Target are replaced with their older counterpart in the Source.
All unpaired files and folders in the Target are removed.

Source Directory
Enter the full pathname of the directory, where your source files exists.  Note that the pathname is case sensitive for Unix Ftp servers.

Target Directory
Enter the full path name of the directory, where you need to put the target files.  Note that the path is case sensitive on Unix systems.

Include subdirectories
If you select this option, all subdirectories and files within the Source Directory are copied to the Target Directory.  If a subdirectory does not exist within the target folder, then it is automatically created.

Filename
Leave this field blank if you want all files to be synchronized. Enter the filename filter for the files you wish to synchronize,  using the following wildcard rules. This field also supports dynamic variables.  Using dynamic variables, you can select a file based on current date/time.

Folder Path Filter
Leave this field blank if you want all folders to be processed. If you need specific folders to be processed, then enter the folder name or path, using the following wildcard rules.  If a folder passes the filter, then all its subfolders will also pass the filter.
Simple Example: Folder = c:\test  , subfolders = john, john\old, sam, sam\old, joe, joe\old
Folder path filter = john    .  john and john\old are processed
Folder path filter = jo       .  john,  john\old, joe, joe\old are processed
Folder path filter = old     .  sam\old,  john\old, joe\old are processed
Folder path filter = test     .  all files in c:\test and its sub folders are processed
Folder path filter = john\old.   only john\old is processed.
Folder path filter = c:\test\john   .  john and john\old are processed

Check for critical folder
This option is added to prevent accidentally processing files within critical folders.  Many of our users use dynamic variables for the source and target folders.  Sometimes, inadvertently, the dynamic result could be c:\ or / etc which may result in undesirable consequences. 
The folders checked include:
1) Root folders (c:\ or d:\ or / etc..)
2) User home folder
3) Folders in the system library path.

If you have to use these folders (c:\ or d:\ or / etc..), and the folder filter or filename filter, you can disable this option if you are absolutely sure that no critical system or data files will be adversely effected..