Robert - elists wrote: >> >> I was trying to do "rsync -a root at machine2:/somedirectory ." >> >> There are multiple directories under the tree and yes many files. >> >> also tried "scp -r root at machine2:/somedirectory ." with the same result of >> too many files. >> >> Jerry >> >> > > First, back up the files to somewhere else on the same machine just in > case... > > Then, consider doing a proper recursive tar or zip that preserves > permissions etc and dust the rest and then do it as only a single file or > thereabouts rsync -a knows as much or more about permissions, etc. as tar and zip do. And it is vastly more efficient when you repeat it to the same destination. -- Les Mikesell lesmikesell at gmail.com