Hello
I have a Ubuntu Server and two laptops that have to be exact copies of each other. The Ubuntu Server has an SSD OS drive, a 6TB drive for music files, a 6TB drive for Laptop1, and a 6TB drive for Laptop2. So Does FFS reside on the Server? Has to be on both Laptops? Or has to be on all three?
Thanks for any feedback or suggestions.
Best Set-up for Linux Server & 2 laptops
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FreeFileSync only needs to exist on one. Now, that one has to be the one that can connect to the other devices, at least one at a time, so you can run the synchronization tasks. You will need to configure the operating system (Ubuntu, on the server anyway) to be able to access the filesystems of the other devices. That is, so you can navigate in the regular file manager.
For example, if you use FreeFileSync on the Ubuntu server (that has a GUI, because FreeFileSync needs the gui), the server needs to be able to mount a network share coming from the laptops. If the laptops are also Ubuntu, you can go search for "ubuntu nfs server" and learn how to set up nfs. Then you can use the Ubuntu server as an nfs client to mount a share from Laptop1, and then run FreeFileSync.
For example, if you use FreeFileSync on the Ubuntu server (that has a GUI, because FreeFileSync needs the gui), the server needs to be able to mount a network share coming from the laptops. If the laptops are also Ubuntu, you can go search for "ubuntu nfs server" and learn how to set up nfs. Then you can use the Ubuntu server as an nfs client to mount a share from Laptop1, and then run FreeFileSync.
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It is also possible to install FFS on one or both laptops.
In case of installing it on just one laptop, you would need to mount a share on your Ubuntu server and one on the other laptop while running the FFS sync on the laptop on which you run the FFS sync.
Both the server and the other laptop then need to be on while running the sync.
Conversely, and likely more convenient, you can install FFS on both laptops, and run a (two-way) sync just between laptop and your server. The other laptop can be off during such sync.
Before (or at) shutdown of each laptop you run the sync between that laptop and your server.
Similarly, at startup of each laptop you run the sync between that laptop and your server.
After running a sync, your server effectively will always contain the latest "status quo".
Obviously, you should not work on the same files on both laptops simultaneously.
In case of installing it on just one laptop, you would need to mount a share on your Ubuntu server and one on the other laptop while running the FFS sync on the laptop on which you run the FFS sync.
Both the server and the other laptop then need to be on while running the sync.
Conversely, and likely more convenient, you can install FFS on both laptops, and run a (two-way) sync just between laptop and your server. The other laptop can be off during such sync.
Before (or at) shutdown of each laptop you run the sync between that laptop and your server.
Similarly, at startup of each laptop you run the sync between that laptop and your server.
After running a sync, your server effectively will always contain the latest "status quo".
Obviously, you should not work on the same files on both laptops simultaneously.
