Replicator 1

Replicator 1-2-3 is a utility, that allows you to replicate, synchronize or delete one or more files, or folders to a number of remote hosts. It comes handy when you need to quickly update files with a new version or simply push a script or utility to your desktop machines, or servers. Replicator has a simple one screen interface. Three step pointers are added for easy navigation. Full feature command line options support running replicator from a batch. Comes handy, when you need to schedule the replication with AT, WinAT or similar programs (needs to be run interactively). Below is a short manual and tips for Replicator usage.

Note: Replicator is a powerful tool. Exercise a caution while using it.

Select Files Select Folder Build a Hosts List Running Replicator

1. Select Files to Replicate

Start with selecting files to replicate. Two options are here. In the "Path to Files)" text box, type a full path to your file and then click "Add". You can use wildcards such as *.*; *.bat; *.dll etc. to select files. Existence of the file you typed is checked with "Add" click and prompted if not found. Alternatively click "Browse..." to select files from local or network drives. Use "Add Tree" to add a folder. All selected files will appear in "Files to be replicated" list box. From here you have an option to remove selected entries or clear list box if necessary.

2. Select Destination Folder

Next specify destination folder and share on the remote computers. Select a share from "Remote share" or type your own share. In "Destination Folder Path" type in a path to the folder only (apps\install\scripts, winnt\system32 etc). If you need to replicate files to the root of the share live this field blank.

Options:

Build Path - Check it if you would like to create destination folder. It will create entire path you entered, but will not override if exists.
Override Files - Files will be overridden at the destination if match the source.
Delete Files - Ooops... Replicated wrong files? Use this option to delete files. Only files specified in the "Files to Replicate" window will be deleted at the destination if they exist. Read-only files and folders will not be deleted.
Sync. Folder - Very powerful. Can be checked only if one entry exists in the "Files to Replicate" window and if that entry represents a folder tree. The easiest way to add a folder is, to use "Add Tree". This option has 3 modes:
- Copy Tree - Will Copy entire tree structure under the specified folder to the destination. Subfolders will NOT be overridden if exist on the destination. Files might be overridden depends on the "Override Files" option.
- Purge Folder - Watch out for this one. It will delete all files on the destination that do not match the source. If "Incl. Subfolders" is checked, ALL subfolders that do not match the source will be purged as well. That means, if you include empty folder in the "Files to Replicate" window, the entire tree structure under "Destination Folder Path" will be trashed (that is if you want it to be that way).
- Mirror Folder - Combination of a "Purge Folder" and "Copy Tree". Will purge unmatched files first and then copy tree structure over. If "Incl. Subfolders" is checked, unmatched subfolders will be purged as well.
Incl. Subfolders - As stated above. Is relevant to "Purge Folder" and "Mirror Folder" only.

3. Select Hosts List

The last step is to build a hosts list of the remote computers you want to send files to. Four options are here:

a) Manually add host by typing the name in the "Host Name" box and click "Add Host".

b) Prepare a separate text file with the list of computers (one name per line) and use "Browse" to navigate to your list file. Once list file is selected the list appears in the "Host List" box.

c) Query resource domain for the names (Click "List Domains" to build an available list). Obviously you do not want to replicate to all the machines in the domain, thus type a first few common characters for your hosts (prefix) and click "Discover". Query will return a matched hosts list.

d) If your host names are ended with numeric consecutive numbers, enter alphabetic portion of the name in "Host Prefix" box. Enter numeric part to "From" and "To" and click "Add Hosts". Use "Remove" to edit your list, or "Clear All" to start this step from the scratch.

Running:

Check all entries and click "Replicate". Progress bar at the bottom of the screen helps you to monitor the progress. Status window will show failed and successful connections. You can clear the status window by clicking "Clear Status" and view the log file with "Show Log" button at the end. Optionally you can "Transfer" list of "Failed Connections" to the hosts list. This operation will override the current hosts list. You can then save the session and try to replicate to the "failed list" again later.

Test Mode:

I encourage you to use this mode first, when using Replicator to delete or synchronize files and folder. In the Test Mode program will simulate file replication and log the result into Test Log (available at the Show Log window, by checking "Test Mode Log"). Replicator will actually evaluate the existence of the files and folders on the source and destination and report all file/folder manipulations such as delete, copy, create as they would occur.

Sessions:

From the file menu you have an option to save and open existing sessions. The extension for the session files is ".sss". You may want create an association with Repl123.exe.

Command Line:

There you have complete batch support with the command line switches. The syntax is as follows:

Repl123.exe Session_File.sss Options [/S] [/N] [/P] [/X] [/T]

Session_File.sss --- Any valid session file.
/S ---------------------- Start Replication, once session is loaded.
/N --------------------- Do Not Override Files (default is override).
/P ---------------------- Build Destination Path (ignored by default).
/X --------------------- Shut Down Replicator then finished.
/T --------------------- Test Mode. Use to validate actions only.

Expl: Repl123 c:\temp\script files\test.sss /S /N /P /X /T

Note: Do not use quotes on the command line. Spaces are handled by the application. Use /X only with /S.
I decided not to include "Delete" and "Synchronization" options to the list of the command line switches, due to the damage it might cause while used improperly. You are getting warning prompts while running application interactively.

Problems?
Please submit bugs report or questions to the Email below.
Email: gurgen@bellatlantic.net