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ColdKathleenFlag for United States of America

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XCOPY Win2K3 folders to preserve structure first then xcopy 'active' files with NTFS ACL permits

I want to "freeze" an oversized data drive to change it to a read-only resource, after having first replicated the entire folder structure to another server and then copying only files that have changed since 1/1/2008.  

ASSUMPTION:  XCOPY in Windows 2003 Server environment can do this.  If not, is there a good utility out there that will?

1= If I use the XCOPY switches /t and /e for first xcopy command, then I'd have the structure including empty folders?  Do I use the /o switch for permissions here?

2 = If I then use the /d:01-01-2008 switch for second xcopy command, I'd get just the documents access/modified on or after 1/1/2008?  Do I use the /o switch for permissions here?  I don't need to reiterate the /t and /e here, do I?

I didn't want to combine the two commands if the /d: date switch would limit which FOLDERS got copied.  I want the same structure no matter the date-of-contents involved.

3 = Should I add the /h switch to pick up hidden/system files... even if it's supposed to be a data drive there could, for instance, be profile info stored there that might include system files.

4 = I do the "network sharing" after the xcopying is done?

5 = After xcopying done, I can set the original first-level folder/share as READ ONLY so that the permits will inherit down the folder structure?

Any help appreciated, high points for speedy response, because after long period of telling management this is needed, they reversed their wait-and-see decision to Yes, DO IT NOW.

Thanks!
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jasontram

Take a look at Robocopy - part of "Windows Server 2003 Resource Kit Tools" downloadable free from Microsoft.com ... There is much more functionality built in and if this is useful, the "/MIR" (mirror) parameter allows for cloning of entire folders and/or updates folders previously cloned.

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=9d467a69-57ff-4ae7-96ee-b18c4790cffd&displaylang=en
Avatar of ColdKathleen

ASKER

I read a bit about that, plus the idea it might need a separate GUI downloaded... my challenge is I don't want to "mirror" the full contents.  I want the folder structure, then only files accessed since 1/1/2008.  Do you have experience that tells me this distinction will work with Robocopy?  
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pschakravarthi

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