rsync and open files

[measekite]

It appears that rsync when used with cron does NOT backup most open files. It appears that save Open Office spreadsheets are not backup up when Open Office is open with the file dispaying.

Does anybody know for sure what if any open files Grsync/Rsync Cron initiated open files will get backed up and what will not.?

[robertdaleweir]

It appears that rsync when used with cron does NOT backup most open files. It appears that save Open Office spreadsheets are not backup up when Open Office is open with the file dispaying.

Does anybody know for sure what if any open files Grsync/Rsync Cron initiated open files will get backed up and what will not.?

rsync is dependant on the OS to determine whether it can handle open files or write in process files. As root rsync will handle most files but running as root has its issues. Cron has no affect on the issue. Most Win OSes just will not allow access to open files, even for reading.
You might run script to close all files as a user before rsync-ing them to overcome this issue if you need to run a cron. Cheers...

[Rubberman]

Backup software should not touch open files. The fact that rsync respects this caveate is a good thing, given how Linux (and Unix) cache disc writes. Users that tend to keep files open for extended periods (beyond their hours of work), should be "educated" to not do that, since they are in danger of losing their work if the system or disc were to fail. This is also a good reason why backups should be done during "off hours".