CloudsArk
Commands Linux

rsync Interview Questions and Answers

Review common rsync interview questions with practical answers and command examples.

rsync Interview Questions and Answers

Introduction

These questions test whether you understand what rsync does, when to use it, and how to verify the result on Linux.

Beginner Questions

What does rsync do?

It synchronizes files locally or over the network.

Show a basic command.

rsync -av source/ backup/

Intermediate Questions

Name useful options.

  • -a: archive mode.
  • -n: dry run.
  • --delete: remove destination files missing from source.

Show a common administrator command.

rsync -av /srv/app/ /backup/app/

Scenario-Based Questions

How would you handle rsync trailing slash?

rsync -av app/ backup/app/

What would you verify afterward?

rsync -avn source/ backup/

Expected output should look similar to:

sending incremental file list
app.conf
sent 1,024 bytes  received 64 bytes  2,176.00 bytes/sec

Practical Task Questions

Practice in a lab by running a safe version of the command, explaining the target, and showing the verification output.

Quick Review

rsync -av source/ backup/
rsync -av /srv/app/ /backup/app/
rsync -avn source/ backup/

Summary

A strong rsync answer includes the purpose, a correct example, a common mistake, and a verification command with output you can interpret.