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diff --git a/content/blog/2022-10-20-syncthing.md b/content/blog/2022-10-20-syncthing.md deleted file mode 100644 index 94816e3..0000000 --- a/content/blog/2022-10-20-syncthing.md +++ /dev/null @@ -1,178 +0,0 @@ -+++ -date = 2022-10-04 -title = "Syncthing: A Minimal Self-Hosted Cloud Storage Solution" -description = "" -+++ - -## An Overview of Syncthing - -If you've been looking around the self-hosted cloud storage space for a -while, you've undoubtedly run into someone suggesting -[Syncthing](https://syncthing.net) as an option. However, it is an -unusual alternative for those users out there who are used to having a -centralized cloud server that serves as the "controller" of the data -and interacts with clients on devices to fetch files. - -This post is a walkthrough of the Syncthing software, how I set up my -personal storage, and some pros and cons of using the software. - -## Installing Syncthing - -To install Syncthing, visit the -[Downloads](https://syncthing.net/downloads/) page or install via your -device's package manager. - -### Server & Desktop - -You can install Syncthing on servers and desktops via the Downloads page -linked above or via the command-line. - -For Debian-based distros: - -```sh -sudo apt install syncthing -``` - -For Fedora-based distros: - -```sh -sudo dnf install syncthing -``` - -### Mobile - -Syncthing for Android is available on -[F-Droid](https://f-droid.org/packages/com.nutomic.syncthingandroid/) -and [Google -Play](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.nutomic.syncthingandroid). -Syncthing does not have an official iOS client, but there is a -third-party client called [Möbius -Sync](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/m%C3%B6bius-sync/id1539203216). - -## How Does Syncthing Work? - -To start, I wanted to include the main marketing blurb from their -website: - -> Syncthing is a continuous file synchronization program. It -> synchronizes files between two or more computers in real time, safely -> protected from prying eyes. Your data is your data alone, and you -> deserve to choose where it is stored, whether it is shared with some -> third party, and how it's transmitted over the internet. - -Let's break this apart and add in some other details to help explain -what exactly Syncthing does in order to sync files between devices. - -### Local Syncthing Server(s) - -Syncthing syncs files between multiple devices by creating a local -server on each device. These local servers handle a few different -things, such as watching files and directories for changes, hosting an -administrative GUI website, and authenticating with connected devices. - -You can also start, stop, and restart the Syncthing server via the -command-line or web dashboard. If you're running Syncthing on a device -with `systemd`, you can use the following commands: - -```sh -sudo systemctl start syncthing@username.service -sudo systemctl restart syncthing@username.service -sudo systemctl stop syncthing@username.service -``` - -### Syncthing Dashboard - -This biggest part of Syncthing is the admin GUI website that runs on -each device (note that mobile devices will use the Syncthing app rather -than the web GUI). The admin GUI is available through the web browser on -the local device that is running Syncthing - simply go to -`http://localhost:8384` or -`http://127.0.0.1:8384`. This web page is the place where you -will change settings, add/modify synced files, and add/modify connected -devices. - -Here's an example web GUI dashboard: - - - -### Remote Devices - -A cloud storage solution wouldn't be very useful if you aren't able to -share data among various devices. Syncthing does this by sharing Device -IDs to connect servers, and then by manually sharing Folders with -devices that have been connected. - -For instance, if you have a laptop running Syncthing and then install -the Syncthing mobile app on a phone, you could scan the laptop's QR -code for Device ID and then accept the authentication on the laptop's -dashboard. Next, you can use either device to select a folder for -sharing and dictating which device should send, receive, or both. - -When you connect devices, you can set one device as an "Introducer," -which can add devices from the introducer to the device list, for -mutually shared folders. You can also configure Auto Accept, -compression, rate limits, and more settings per device. - -## My Personal Cloud Storage Set-up - -Personally, I use a model similar to a traditional cloud storage -service. I have a "centralized" server running 24/7 that acts as an -Introducer for my Syncthing network. I think of this as my main storage -and all other devices as tertiary client devices. I will likely add -additional servers as backups as time goes on so that I don't have to -rely on my laptop or phone as the only backups. - -Currently, I have one desktop and one mobile device connected to the -network, both running intermittently as they are not powered-on 24/7. - -The initial set-up of the software was easy enough, but data transfer -rates were incredibly slow for me due to the Wi-Fi. Instead, I plugged -my laptop into the ethernet network that my server is on and manually -copied my folders over to the server with `scp`. Once -complete, Syncthing validated that all files were there and not missing, -and it did not need to transfer any data through the WAN. - -As slow as the transfer was going, this probably saved me a few days of -waiting for my ~100GB sync. - -## Pros & Cons - -I've put together a short list of pros and cons for Syncthing. I -thought about my experiences with Nextcloud, WebDAV, proprietary -services (Google Drive, iCloud, etc.), and privacy-focused cloud -solutions (pCloud, Tresorit, etc.). - -**Pros:** - -- I've faced no data loss at all through my two-month trial run. -- No third-parties store your data on their servers. -- You have full control over your data and can take your data and - leave at any time. -- It's possible to encrypt client-side easily with software like - Cryptomator. -- No proprietary clients or mounted volumes, just plain files and - folders. - -**Cons:** - -- The learning curve is steeper than traditional cloud services and is - focused on a technical audience. -- If a device needs to modify files in a Folder, the devices will need - to sync ALL files from the folder, which may be large. To avoid size - restraints, split large folders into smaller folders for syncing. -- Syncing can be slow due to the clients/servers initially connecting - or re-connecting after sleeping. -- Multiple personal devices are required and require the user to own - or rent them as no third-party servers are involved in the storage - of data. - -Overall, I've had a great experience with Syncthing so far. I've had -no data loss, syncing has been quick and easy when changes are made to -files, device connections are reliable, and I love the freedom of -controlling the clients and servers as I choose. - -Not to mention that I appreciate that I - or someone else - could pull -the Syncthing [source code](https://github.com/syncthing) and continue -development/support if the Syncthing Foundation decides to stop -developing the software or sells the business. |