rsync as a very important tool in a system administrators’ toolbox. It allows to synchronize files and directories and is preferred over cp by many, especially when operating on a large file base because it allows to resume copying in case it is canceled. But rsync can do so much more… For example syncing files and folders over SSH, like scp copies files and folders over SSH but again, with some advantages.

Anyway, here’s how to do. Both systems, the local and the remote system, must have the rsync package installed. This works for almost any *NIX system.

rsync -avz -e "ssh -p yourSshPortDefaultsTo22" youruser@remoteip:/path/to/files/ /local/path

More information about rsync can be found in the excellent Arch Linux Wiki:

• https://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/Rsync