[SunHELP] data transfer box1->box2

When transferring directories structures and files over to a remote
box will the zip utility be an acceptable method of transfer in 
regards to maintaining permissions and attributes? I'm considered
about the special modifiers like setuid.  Would tar using a
named pipe as a conduit for compression be a better choice?  It seems
like to me that zip is faster and the compression is better.

Thanks for any opinions/suggestions.