PoweScale: rsync local copy does not retain ACL permissions
Summary: When copying files with rsync, ACL permissions are not retained. This is by design.
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Symptoms
When copying files with rsync, ACL permissions are not retained.
Cause
Rsync is not a supported program within PowerScale. It is included as part of the underlying FreeBSD platform. While the cp and chmod commands have been modified in OneFS to handle ACLs, rsync has not. Rsync does not support OneFS ACLs, nor many other OneFS metadata.
Resolution
This is working as designed. Rsync should not be relied on for a copy with all file metadata. The cp command with the -p flag or SyncIQ should be used to preserve the ACLs.
Additional Information
Regarding the -A flag for rsync (preserve ACLs), the ACL descriptions you see in the rsync documentation refers to POSIX ACLs, not NTFS, or OneFS ACLs.
Affected Products
Isilon, PowerScale OneFSArticle Properties
Article Number: 000052427
Article Type: Solution
Last Modified: 26 Nov 2025
Version: 7
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