Frequently Asked Questions Hub
Frequently Asked Questions: Using FTP
How do you know if a file has been modified on an FTP server?
My FTP server doesn't support MDTM. How do I use the files modification date & time?
My FTP server returns the wrong file size. How will this affect SyncBack?
Can SyncBack be used with my FTP server?
Why does a backup/sync using FTP take longer than when I use my FTP client?
How can I backup/synchronize between a ZIP file and an FTP server?
How can I backup/synchronize between two FTP servers?
I want the source to be my FTP server, not the destination. How do I do that?
Why am I not receiving the log email about the task SyncBack has performed?
Where are my Network, FTP, and Email passwords stored? Are they encrypted?
How can I use the files modification date & time without MDTM support?
General FTP Questions
Q: How do you know if a file has been modified on an FTP server?
Q: My FTP server does not support the MDTM command. How can you use the files modification date & time?
Q: My FTP server returns the wrong file size. How will this affect SyncBack?
Q: Can SyncBack be used with my FTP server?
A: SyncBack uses three methods to check if a file has been modified: the files last modification date & time, it's size, and it's hash value (MD5 or CRC32). There is no standard universal date & time zone, or format, used by all FTP servers. For example, one server may return the date & time for it's local timezone, where as another may return the GMT date & time.
Some FTP servers can accurately return the files last modification date & time (using the MDTM command), and some (very few) allow the caller to set the date & time (again using the MDTM command). Worse still, some FTP servers do not return the correct file size (it can be rounded up or down to the nearest block size, with the block size unknown to the user). For this reason, SyncBack may not work correctly with your FTP server. The best FTP server to use is one that supports both uses of the MDTM command (getting & setting the files modification date & time), and accurately returns file sizes. SyncBack will try it's best to work with your FTP server, but it is impossible to support all FTP servers.
Note that SyncBackSE has a completely new FTP engine and so can work with many more servers than the freeware version of SyncBack. It is also faster, supports SSL, and MODE Z compression. Learn more about SyncBackSE.
SyncBackSE at 2BrightSparks (Internet connection required)
Q: Why does a backup/sync using FTP take longer than when I use my FTP client?
A: When using FTP with SyncBack, the number of calls made to the FTP server are considerably more than when simply copying via a regular FTP client because SyncBack retrieves information on each and every file (last modification date & time, and the file size, for example). This will make the first run much slower as compared to using your FTP client. Once the first run is complete however, the process in future will be much faster because SyncBack will not need to transfer files that haven't changed.
Note that SyncBackSE is considerably faster when using FTP than the freeware version of SyncBack.
Q: How can I backup/synchronize between a ZIP file and an FTP server?
A: You need to use your local filesystem as an intermediary storage device. Create two profiles: one to backup/sync with the ZIP file, and one to backup/sync with the FTP. Make sure both use the same local directory for the source. Next, create a group profile and put both of these profiles into it. Now, run the group profile. You may need to experiment to get the settings correct. Always test first using files you can afford to lose!
Q: How can I backup/synchronize between two FTP servers?
A: You need to use your local filesystem as an intermediary storage device. Create two profiles: one to backup/sync with FTP server 1, and one to backup/sync with FTP server 2. Make sure both use the same local directory for the source. Next, create a group profile and put both of these profiles into it. Now, run the group profile. Note that this will only work if both servers support the MDTM method of setting the date & time of files on the FTP server. You may need to experiment to get the settings correct. Always test first using files you can afford to lose!
Q: I want the source to be my FTP server, not the destination. How do I do that?
A: The source & destination labels are purely for the benefit of the user. In reality they are just two locations that have equal status. How they are used depends upon the settings. To treat your FTP server or ZIP archive as the source, just change the profiles settings on the Advanced tab. For example, if you want to do a backup from a ZIP file or FTP server, modify your profile, go to the Advanced tab and select: 'Destination overwrites source always', 'Do nothing, skip the file', and 'Copy file to source'.
Q: Why am I not receiving the log email about the task SyncBack has performed?
A: In today's world of junk email, many email servers are configured to reject any email that appears to be spam. If your email server is rejecting your log email please make sure you have filled out the settings correctly, e.g. valid To and From addresses are used.
Q: Where are my Network, FTP, and Email passwords stored? Are they encrypted?
A: All passwords are stored in the users registry (local to that that user, and not the entire machine) and are encrypted. The encryption is not strong however, and a determined user could potentially decipher the encrypted password. Remember that if a person can read your private registry entries, then they have access to your entire machine anyway.
Q: My FTP server does not support the MDTM command. How can you use the files modification date & time?
A: If your FTP server does not support setting the files last modification date & time, using the MDTM command, then SyncBack will change the local source files last modification date & time to match that of the file on the FTP server. See the FAQ question How do you know if a file has been modified on an FTP server? for more information.
Q: When I backup or synchronize with my FTP server, the last modification date & time for my local source files change. Why?
A: If your FTP server does not support setting the files last modification date & time, using the MDTM command, then SyncBack will change the local source files last modification date & time to match that of the file on the FTP server. See the FAQ question How do you know if a file has been modified on an FTP server? for more information.
All Contents: 2BrightSparks Pte Ltd ⌐ 2003-2006