Best File Copying Programs for Samba Server

FastCopy - The Best Solution for Samba

FastCopy is the most suitable choice for copying a large number of small files to a Samba server with automatic resumption. This Japanese utility is specifically designed for high-performance file operations and handles network connection issues excellently.

According to research, in case of a connection interruption with a Samba server, it’s sufficient to configure FastCopy for a longer response wait time, and the program will automatically resume copying after the connection is restored. This is particularly important because when copying to Samba servers, there is often an increase in server CPU load, which can lead to temporary connection freezes.

Key features of FastCopy for working with Samba:
- ⚡ Multi-threaded engine for high speed
- 🔄 Automatic resumption of interrupted operations
- 📁 Support for locked and open files
- 🛠️ Advanced error handling parameters
- ⏱️ Timeout configuration for unstable networks

FastCopy also efficiently handles a large number of small files, which is critically important for many users. Its optimization algorithms minimize overhead when working with thousands of small files over the network.

WinSCP - A GUI Alternative

WinSCP is an excellent graphical option for working with Samba servers with resumption support. This program is based on SSH/SFTP protocols and can work with Samba through appropriate settings.

As noted in research, WinSCP “intelligently detects interrupted transfers and allows resuming them from the point of interruption, minimizing the need to start the transfer from scratch.” To use the resumption function, overwrite confirmations must be enabled in the program settings.

Advantages of WinSCP for working with Samba:

• 🖥️ Intuitive graphical interface
• 🔄 Automatic detection and resumption of interrupted files
• 📊 Detailed logging for troubleshooting
• 🔐 Support for various transfer protocols
• ⚙️ Flexible connection parameter settings

It’s important to note that for proper resumption, you must use the same version of the source file as in the interrupted transfer. WinSCP also supports working with Samba through SSH tunnels, which can improve connection stability.

rsync - A Powerful Command-Line Tool

rsync is a classic solution for reliable file transfers with resumption support. Although rsync is more commonly used in Unix environments, it works excellently with Samba servers and Windows clients.

According to research, rsync offers “a reliable solution with built-in support for resuming file transfers.” For working with Samba, rsync can be configured to work via SSH or directly with Samba shares.

# Example rsync command for working with a Samba server
rsync -avz --partial --progress /local/path/ user@samba-server:/share/directory/

Key rsync parameters for reliable operation:

• --partial - save partially transferred files for resumption
• --progress - display transfer progress
• -a (archive) - preserve file attributes
• -v (verbose) - detailed output
• -z (compress) - compress data to speed up transfer

rsync is particularly effective when working with a large number of small files, as it uses delta-copying algorithms and can skip already transferred files or their parts. This makes it ideal for regular backups and synchronization.

To use rsync in Windows, you can install it via Cygwin, WSL (Windows Subsystem for Linux), or use special Windows versions.

BITS - A Built-in Windows Solution

BITS (Background Intelligent Transfer Service) is a Windows built-in service for file transfers that automatically resumes interrupted operations. Although BITS is more often used for internet downloads, it can also work with Samba servers.

As noted in research, “all connection problems are automatically solved by BITS, so even if you reboot the client (or server naturally) during transfer, it will automatically resume the transfer.”

Advantages of BITS:

• 🔄 Fully automatic resumption after any interruptions
• ⏱️ Background operation with network traffic prioritization
• 🛡️ Windows integration and security
• 📊 Progress tracking and job management
• 🔧 Management via PowerShell or graphical interface

To work with a Samba server, BITS can be used through PowerShell:

Start-BitsTransfer -Source "\\samba-server\share\files" -Destination "C:\local\path"

However, it should be noted that BITS may be less optimized for working with a very large number of small files compared to specialized tools like FastCopy.

Configuration Parameters for Reliable Operation

For maximum reliability when working with any of the listed tools, the following settings are recommended:

Samba Server Configuration

1. Increase the open file limit in Samba settings:
   rlimit_max = 16384
   

2. Configure SMB parameters for working with numerous small files
3. Optimize network stack parameters on the server

FastCopy Configuration

• Increase the server response wait timeout
• Enable “Do not interrupt even on errors” mode
• Configure multi-threaded processing for improved performance

WinSCP Configuration

• Enable overwrite confirmations for resuming transfers
• Configure SSH parameters for resilience to temporary failures
• Use modes for saving partial files

rsync Configuration

• Use --partial and --append parameters for resumption
• Configure compression for faster transfer
• Use SSH tunnels for more stable operation

Tool Comparison

Conclusion

1. FastCopy is the optimal choice for reliably copying a large number of small files to a Samba server due to its high performance, automatic resumption, and specialized optimization for working with network connections.

2. WinSCP is excellent for users who prefer a graphical interface and provides reliable resumption of transfers via SSH/SFTP with the ability to work through Samba shares.

3. rsync is a powerful alternative for advanced users and system administrators, especially for regular synchronization and backup operations.

4. BITS can be used as a built-in Windows solution for simple tasks, but is less effective when working with a very large number of small files.

To ensure maximum reliability, it’s recommended to configure the parameters of your chosen tool and the Samba server according to the specifics of your network and the volume of data being transferred. When working with critical data, always use additional methods to verify the integrity of transferred files.

Sources

1. Network disconnects during large file copy to samba share - Super User
2. FastCopy Reviews in 2025 - SourceForge
3. File Transfer Resume :: WinSCP Documentation
4. Efficient File Transfers with rsync: How to Resume Interrupted Transfers
5. Downloading (Transferring) Large Files Using PowerShell and BITS
6. Samba - File copy freezing with large network copies - Ask Ubuntu
7. Large File Copy Tool across Flaky Connection - Server Fault
8. Backup and transfer your data using rsync - SystemRescue
9. Optimal remote backups with rsync over Samba
10. Slow SMB files transfer speed - Windows Server | Microsoft Learn