Copying files over a network

[David A. Bandel]

On Mon, Dec 22, 2008 at 1:34 PM, Rick <rwbowers at gmail.com> wrote:
> Hi all,
>
> I have an old mail/web/ftp server based on SME Server. I want to build a new
> server and will need to copy all my email accounts from the old server to
> the new server.

I don't recall SME server, but the best way to copy files, be it over
a network or even on the same computer is with rsync.  Just `man
rsync` -- there are examples you can follow.

>
> The old server is OLD, and does not support USB. I'm sure there is a way to
> copy files/directories over the network but don't know the proper
> command(s). I'd like to do something like cp -R but between two servers. Is
> this possible?
>
> Also, what linux distribution is favored these days? OpenSUSE, Gentoo,
> Fedora?

You just looking to start a religious war aren't you?

>
> My current setup uses, I think, qmail. The directory structure looks like
> this:
> drwx------    5 rwb      rwb          4096 Dec 21 04:24 .
> drwxr-xr-x   38 root     root         4096 Oct  9 16:15 ..
> drwxr-x---    2 rwb      rwb          4096 Aug  9  2005 home
> drwx------    2 rwb      rwb          4096 Jun  5  2008 Mail
> drwxr-x---    6 rwb      rwb          4096 Aug  9  2005 Maildir
> -rw-------    1 rwb      rwb           415 Dec 20 10:42 procmail.log.1
> -rw-------    1 rwb      rwb           374 Dec 12 16:11 procmail.log.2
> -rw-r--r--    1 rwb      rwb          1220 Oct  1 21:09 .procmailrc
> -rw-r-----    1 rwb      rwb           474 Oct 14  2005 .qmail
> lrwxrwxrwx    1 root     admin           6 Aug  9  2005 .qmail-default ->
> .qmail
>
> I am thinking about using postfix, and setting things up as decribed here:
> http://flurdy.com/docs/postfix/#software
>
> (except, maybe, not using Ubuntu) I will want something compatible with my
> current mail setup so I can copy all my old messages.
>
> Comments and suggestions are greatly appreciated.
>

If you never want to have to reinstall again, take a look at Debian.
If you're more comfortable with RPMs, look at something like Fedora
Core.  FC 10 will take some getting used to starting with upstart and
the new /etc/event.d nonsense instead of the standard inittab startup.

Advantages and disadvantages to be had no matter what you choose.
OTOH, Slackware is always a good choice.

Let the religious wars begin ;-)

Ciao,

David A. Bandel
-- 
Focus on the dream, not the competition.
            - Nemesis Air Racing Team motto