Overview
FTP Synchronizer uses file timestamps to determine which files need to be synchronized. When comparing files, the program checks the last modified date and time to decide if a file is newer or older than its counterpart.
How It Works
During synchronization, FTP Synchronizer compares timestamps between local and remote files:
- If the local file has a more recent timestamp, it will be uploaded to the server
- If the remote file has a more recent timestamp, it will be downloaded
- If timestamps are identical, the file is considered synchronized and won't be transferred
Timestamp Accuracy
Different FTP servers handle file timestamps differently:
- Some servers preserve exact timestamps (to the second)
- Some servers only store timestamps to the minute or hour
- FAT32 file systems have 2-second timestamp resolution
FTP Synchronizer automatically detects and adapts to your server's timestamp precision.
Common Issues
Files show wrong timestamps
This can happen if:
- Your FTP server doesn't preserve timestamps accurately
- Time zone differences between local and remote systems
- DST (Daylight Saving Time) changes
Timestamp synchronization errors
If you notice files being unnecessarily transferred, check your profile settings for timestamp comparison options.
Best Practices
- Ensure your local system and FTP server are set to the correct time zone
- Use NTP (Network Time Protocol) to keep your system clock synchronized
- Test with a few files first to verify timestamp behavior
- Consider using checksum comparison for critical files