Looks like rsync got that option in the end as this is what I get from 18.04's version:
# rsync --help | grep copy-devices --copy-devices copy device contents as regular file # dpkg -l| grep rsync ii rsync 3.1.2-2.1ubuntu1.4 amd64 fast, versatile, remote (and local) file-copying tool ** Changed in: rsync (Ubuntu) Status: Confirmed => Fix Released -- You received this bug notification because you are a member of Ubuntu Bugs, which is subscribed to Ubuntu. https://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/728227 Title: add --copy-devices option to rsync To manage notifications about this bug go to: https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/rsync/+bug/728227/+subscriptions -- ubuntu-bugs mailing list ubuntu-bugs@lists.ubuntu.com https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-bugs