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Is there a tool or command to copy / move, file and folders and maintain all their attributes?

I am reconfiguring are VM virtual server and San architecture and need reconfigure all attached drives. Currently all my attached data drives are setup in their own volumes and are attached using Microsoft iSCSI initiator. Im changing that up to use an HBA and need recreate all the data drives. I can use Netbackup to restore the data to the new drives but this will take some time and put me out of my allotted down time. Long question short I need a tool and or command that will copy the data from one location to another while maintaining all file/ folder attributes. This includes owner, data, time, shares, and everything else I am forgetting.

JapyDooge

XCOPY /K /E

/E           Copies directories and subdirectories, including empty ones.
             Same as /S /E. May be used to modify /T.
/K           Copies attributes. Normal Xcopy will reset read-only attributes.

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PeteJThomas

We use robocopy -

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robocopy

Take a look and see what you think! :)

PeteJThomas

Sorry, I meant to add that I would recommend it, as it has a fair bit more functionality than the windows copy and xcopy commands...

But it may be more than you need? Only you will know!

Pete

RepublicFinancial

ASKER

Xcopy and Robocopy get me halfway there. I need to be able to maintain the attributes of the Folders too. Is there a command in either of those tools that will keep the folders attirbutes. IE Date modified?

PeteJThomas

Did you read the article?

Quote - "Robocopy is notable for capabilities above and beyond the built-in Windows copy and xcopy commands, including the following:

Ability to correctly copy attributes, owner information, alternate data streams, auditing information, and timestamps by default, without the need for numerous oft-forgotten command line switches."

Or am I misunderstanding what it is you need? :)

Pete

RepublicFinancial

ASKER

Pete,
I might be missing a something!? there might be a switch I have not used. Both products keep the date stamps and all the attributes at the file level but not at the folder level. All the folders have a date stamp from the time and day that I run the command.

PeteJThomas

Hmmm... Did you try it with the /copyall switch? I can't find anything that specifies that it doesn't do this for folders, but /copyall MIGHT help?

Also, there's this in the link I sent -

"Known Flaws

Robocopy will not copy folder timestamps from the source folder. Instead, it will use the current date and time when creating new folders. To match the timestamps to the original, another file utility must be used. This flaw has been addressed in the Windows Vista version of Robocopy (switch /DCOPY:T)."

Do you have Vista installed anywhere?

Give it a try if you haven't, and let me know! :)

Pete

ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION

RepublicFinancial

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