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Difficulty: MediumMicrosoft Command-Line Tools

A systems administrator needs to migrate a large departmental folder structure from a local workstation drive (`C:\Data`) to a network backup destination (`D:\Backup`). The migration must clone all subdirectories—including empty ones—and retain all original file attributes, owner details, and NTFS Access Control Lists (ACLs). Which of the following command-line utilities and switch combinations will accomplish this task efficiently?

  1. robocopy C:\Data D:\Backup /e /copyallAnswer
  2. B
    xcopy C:\Data D:\Backup /s /h
  3. C
    rsync -avz /cygdrive/c/Data /cygdrive/d/Backup
  4. D
    Launch Computer Management MMC, open Shared Folders, and export the file list.

Answer

robocopy C:\Data D:\Backup /e /copyall
The command specifying `robocopy C:\Data D:\Backup /e /copyall` is correct because `robocopy` is built into Windows for high-performance file replication. The `/e` flag ensures all subdirectories, including empty ones, are copied, while `/copyall` duplicates all file data, attributes, timestamps, NTFS security ACLs, owner information, and auditing flags.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify key file copy requirements
The command must include empty subdirectories and copy complete NTFS security credentials (ACLs, owner info, audit details).
Standard copy commands omit empty directories or file permissions unless explicitly commanded via parameters.
2
Evaluate Windows command-line copy tools
Robocopy (Robust File Copy) is designed for robust directory cloning and supports full attribute and ACL replication.
Robocopy is preferred over copy and xcopy for complex directory migrations.
3
Verify switch parameters
/e includes empty subdirectories; /copyall is equivalent to /copy:DATSOU (Data, Attributes, Timestamps, Security ACLs, Owner, Auditing).
This satisfies all operational requirements in a single command execution.

Key Concept

Windows Robocopy Utility and Advanced Copy Flags
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Topics

Microsoft Command-Line Tools

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