Backup system

These two programs work as a backup system. The client tracks files and subdirectories and sends them to the server, which replicates the changes.

This program is designed to run on Linux machines.

Files

• client.c: identifies files and directories in the current path and saves them in a vector. The 'vector' structure is defined in FileVector.h. This program detects creation, modification and deletion of files and directories.
• FileVector.h: defines a custom 'vector' struct and a 'file' struct to keep track of every file and subdirectory.
• FileSender.h: establishes the connection to the server and sends the instructions along with the required files to do the backup.
• server.c: receives instructions from the client program (client.c) and then receives the contents of files (for create and modify instructions) or deletes the specified file (for the delete instruction).

Logic

1. Identify initial files and subdirectories.
2. Track the files and subdirectories in a vector.
3. Send information to server.
4. Apply changes in server.
5. Identify changes.
   • When an untracked file or subdirectory appears (created), add it to the vector.
   • When a tracked file or subdirectory disappears (deleted), delete it from the vector.
   • When a tracked file's modification date changes (modified), update it in the vector.
6. Send information to server.
7. Apply changes in server.
8. Go to step 5 until the user manually stops the programs.

Build instructions

Make sure you have gcc installed on your Linux machine:

sudo apt install gcc

In the same path as the Makefile file, run:

make

If you don't have make installed, you can compile both files manually:

gcc client.c -o client
gcc server.c -o server

Execution instructions

If you are running both programs on the same computer, make sure to place the client executable and the server executable in different directories in such a way that one directory is not in a subdirectory of the other. For example:

• parentDirectory
  • serverFiles
    • server (executable)
  • clientFiles
    • client (executable)

Server

Run:

./server <portNumber>

Client

Run:

./client <hostname> <portNumber>

If you are running both programs on the same computer, you can type localhost or 127.0.0.1 for the hostname. Make sure to enter the same port number for both programs.

Usage instructions

1. Compile the programs.
2. Place each executable in a separate directory (or computer).
3. Run the server program.
4. Run the client program.
5. Make changes in the client program's path:
   • Add files.
   • Create subdirectories.
   • Modify files.
   • Delete files.
   • Delete subdirectories.
6. The server should mirror the changes.
7. To stop the programs, press Ctrl + C on the terminal running each one.