syncronizing work between laptop and desktop computers

[nadi]

Hei gentooers,

I have a question and after 3 days reading in linux books , gentoo wiki and in the internet I became even more confued than before. So I am posting this question to get a better insight:
overview:
I have 2 computers: one ultraportable laptop and the second is a desktop. The laptop can be connected to the desktop through a docking station and by any other means (seriel cable, network cable, ieee1394 whatever).
description:
when I come to work, I want to use the desktop computer, run simulations etc. When I finish the working day, I want to press a button in my laptop (anything) or run a command, which synchronizes the work: transfer everthing I did to hte laptop so I can take it with me and work at home or while I am doing the traveling.
remarks:
1. I have to be able to work on my laptop also in areas without network (in long distances flights or in the desert). So all the work needs to be copied to the laptop before I disconnect it from the docking station at work.
2. when I come back to my office, I want to connect the laptop, and syncronize between the desktop and the laptop, so I will be able to continue the work using the desktop.

Possible solution:
1. if NFS the correct solution, then the laptop is the client and the desktop is the server, but since they are hard wired (cable between them), do I have advantages like speed? can I tell my server to unable login to any computer other than my actual laptop? (such that the server identifies the hardware in my laptop, or is it a science fiction only?)
2. are there other solutions? how?

many thanks,
Nadi
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Blue Skies!

[goma]

I would suggest using rsync for this sort of thing.

[alex6z]

I think this sort of thing can be done alse using the -u or update flag with cp -r. When you're finished at work you cp -ru --whatever-eles /desktop/* /laptop/.

Make sure the clocks are set right on both computers.

[cjubon]

Want a GUI for what alex6z suggested? Try komparator.