{"id":404,"date":"2011-01-31T05:52:46","date_gmt":"2011-01-31T11:52:46","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blog.supportpro.com\/2011\/01\/how-to-do-rsync-with-a-non-standard-ssh-port\/"},"modified":"2026-01-08T04:26:44","modified_gmt":"2026-01-08T10:26:44","slug":"how-to-do-rsync-with-a-non-standard-ssh-port","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.supportpro.com\/blog\/how-to-do-rsync-with-a-non-standard-ssh-port\/","title":{"rendered":"How to do Rsync with a non-standard ssh port ?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Rsync is a powerful and widely used tool for copying and synchronizing files between servers. It is commonly used by system administrators because it is fast, secure, and reliable. By default, rsync connects to remote servers using SSH on port 22. However, many servers are configured to use a non-standard SSH port for better security.<\/p>\n

In such cases, rsync can still be used without any issues by specifying the custom SSH port in the command.<\/p>\n

Why Use a Non-Standard SSH Port<\/h2>\n

Many administrators change the default SSH port to reduce unauthorized access and automated attacks. When a server uses a custom port, tools that rely on SSH must be told which port to use. Rsync supports this easily through command-line options, allowing secure file transfers without changing server configurations.<\/p>\n

Rsync Command with a Non-Standard SSH Port<\/h2>\n

To use rsync with a custom SSH port, you need to specify the port using the -e<\/code> option. This option tells rsync which remote shell command to use.<\/p>\n

Example command:<\/p>\n

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\n
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rsync -avz -e “ssh -p $portNumber” user@destinationserverIP:\/filespath \/path_to_local\/<\/strong><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Replace PORT<\/code> with the actual SSH port number, such as 2222<\/code>.
This command securely connects to the remote server and copies files to the local system while preserving permissions and directory structure.<\/p>\n

How the Command Works<\/h2>\n