rsync 3.1.0 and OS X extended attributes

Software

rsync's rather fabulous retro logo

With rsync 3.1.0, we got several new features, performance improvements and broken extended attribute syncing in OS X. Using the -X flag, we get this:

rsync error: protocol incompatibility (code 2) at io.c(599) [sender=3.1.0]
rsync: [sender] write error: Broken pipe (32)

Patches have been commited, though the success rate of using them seems to be mixed. Given how critical rsync is to my “workflow”, I’m sticking with 3.0.9.

If you’re on Homebrew, Keithbsmiley identified the last brew before 3.1.0:

% brew install https://raw.github.com/Homebrew/homebrew-dupes/109dca908c6499116e07483d7afe8a1c3ef63ad6/rsync.rb

Alternatively, you can build and install the old fashioned way. As an example, I build my own material under /opt:

% cd /opt/src
% curl -O "http://rsync.samba.org/ftp/rsync/src/rsync-3.0.9.tar.gz"
% tar xzvf rsync-3.0.9.tar.gz
% cd rsync-3.0.9
% ./configure --prefix=/opt
% sudo make install clean

Update

The early pre–releases of 3.1.1 indicate they’ve fixed the issue. I’ve decided to skip 3.1.0 entirely and wait for this release.

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