Hi everyone, I just signed up here. I found FreeFileSinc while looking for a way to keep my desktop and laptop in sync and I have a couple of questions about the possibilities.
Basically I usually work on my desktop, but from time to time I have to move and use my laptop. I have one 4tb disk on each of the computers and I would like to keep them synced. Is it possible to do this using FreeFileSync, even over the internet? I am a 3d artist, so the files deal with are quite big, or maybe they are sequences of images, so lots of them.
Basically what I would like to achieve is some a dropbox like syncronization, where I can change save a new file either on the desktop or on the laptop and as soon as the other one will be on and I have a internet connection, the file will be synced. I understand that for this to work both computers probably need to be on at the same time at least, but that's ok, I can switch on the desktop remotely.
Thanks for any help that you can give me and if I didn't explain clearly enough please ask! :)
Bernardo
Hello and question about keeping two computers in sync
- Posts: 2
- Joined: 26 Apr 2021
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- Posts: 2947
- Joined: 22 Aug 2012
Start by watching the FreeFileSync Tutorials and reading the Manual.
Although both computers may have a 4TB disk, you should obviously not sync the entire disks but only the sections containing your relevant data, and select your left and right base location(s) accordingly.
As files may be created and modified at both ends, you should use the Two-way sync variant.
Note that, as you want to (be able to) sync over the Internet, your Compares and Syncs will then generally be slow. Therefore, preferably, but at least when performing your initial sync, run you syncs locally.
You yourself have to create a safe way to remotely connect your laptop to your desktop over the Internet, and provide file access, e.g. by setting up a VPN.
Although both computers may have a 4TB disk, you should obviously not sync the entire disks but only the sections containing your relevant data, and select your left and right base location(s) accordingly.
As files may be created and modified at both ends, you should use the Two-way sync variant.
Note that, as you want to (be able to) sync over the Internet, your Compares and Syncs will then generally be slow. Therefore, preferably, but at least when performing your initial sync, run you syncs locally.
You yourself have to create a safe way to remotely connect your laptop to your desktop over the Internet, and provide file access, e.g. by setting up a VPN.
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- Posts: 4867
- Joined: 11 Jun 2019
To add to Plerry's answer, you would need to set up a network share so you can sync over LAN. That will require one of the machines to be on as the 'server'. Or, you could look into cloud storage, like OneDrive. Depends on what you want
- Posts: 2
- Joined: 26 Apr 2021
thank you both for the answers! I'll look into these things. The reason I was having a look at FreeFileSync is to avoid cloud storage, due to the costs of keeping such a large storage on the cloud.
However, it would definitely be an easier solution to implement. I say this just because I am not very handy with setting up VPNs and stuff like that, so I feel it might be a bit challenging for me to set up FreeFileSync for my needs.
However, it would definitely be an easier solution to implement. I say this just because I am not very handy with setting up VPNs and stuff like that, so I feel it might be a bit challenging for me to set up FreeFileSync for my needs.
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- Posts: 4867
- Joined: 11 Jun 2019
Yeah, VPN setup all depends on support on the router. Keep data caps in mine, if applicable.
