---
type: source
title: "Synchronizing Local Data with the Central File Server"
tags: [synchronization, fileserver, freefilesync]
related: [freefilesync, realtimesync, file-synchronization]
created: 2026-06-30
updated: 2026-06-30
sources: ["output/rz_uni_greifswald_de_dienste_allgemein_zentrale_datenspeicherung_fileserver_sync.md"]
---

# Synchronizing Local Data with the Central File Server

This source provides a technical guide for university members to synchronize local files with the central file server provided by the [[universitatsrechenzentrum-urz]]. It focuses on the use of **FreeFileSync** to maintain data consistency between a local machine and the network storage.

## Key Technical Guidance

### Tooling
The URZ recommends **FreeFileSync** (available for Windows, Linux, and macOS) for both manual and automatic synchronization. On Windows, the accompanying **RealTimeSync.exe** is used to automate the process by monitoring file changes.

### Configuration Workflow
1. **Directory Selection**: Users define a local source directory and a target directory on the central file server (accessible via mapped drive or UNC path `\\nas-has.rz.uni-greifswald.de\ShareName\Path`).
2. **Comparison**: The tool compares the two directories to identify differences.
3. **Synchronization Method**:
    - **Mirroring (Spiegeln)**: The target is made an exact copy of the source. Changes in the target are overwritten.
    - **Two-Way (Zwei Wege)**: Changes in both directories are merged. This is the **preferred method**.
4. **Automation**: Configurations can be saved as **Batch Jobs** to be executed in the background (minimized, ignoring errors, and logging results).

### Automation on Windows
Automatic synchronization is achieved via **RealTimeSync.exe**:
- Load the Batch configuration file created in FreeFileSync.
- Set a synchronization interval (idle time in seconds).
- Start the monitoring process to trigger synchronization upon file changes.
