Versioning and Filename Encoding

Versioning and Filename Encoding

Syncovery can preserve multiple versions of each file in your backup or mirror. One method to achieve this is by encoding the timestamp into the filename: the date and time is added at the end of each file (before the file extension). The option is called Filename encoding within the synchronizer software.

Filename encoding is also needed to preserve a file’s timestamp on some FTP and WebDAV servers and the Amazon S3, Rackspace, Hubic, and PCloud online storages (and possibly some others too). Since a file’s date and time are very important for synchronization, we recommend to use this feature with such servers whenever you don’t need to have the original filenames on the server. Filename encoding is not necessary at all when using SFTP or modern cloud drives including Google Drive, DropBox, Backblaze B2, Box, OneDrive, and Sharepoint.

This method requires that the (local) folders with original filenames are on the left-hand side and the (remote) folder with encoded filenames on the right.

Example

A file named Invoice.doc becomes Invoice.d20061216-u121650.doc on the right-hand side. The time you see in the filename is UTC/GMT time so as to be independent from time zones and daylight saving time.

The encoded filename is only visible when looking directly at the storage used for the right side. When using Syncovery, the filenames are automatically decoded, and the Synchronization Preview shows the original filenames only along with the original file’s date and time.

Filename encoding can be chosen:

Versioning

Syncovery can also keep multiple versions of the file in the same folder in the backup. To use versioning, choose Keep Older Versions When Replacing on the Versioning tab sheet.

Compression / Zipping / Encryption

The files can also be compressed and encrypted. You will find these options on the Compression tab sheet. When combining compression with filename encoding, you must compress each file into a separate Zip or Sz file. So you should only use the option “Compress Each File Individually”.

Restoring Files From Backup Storage

Restoring will give you the original file names and modification dates. Please read this documentation on performing a restore.