[ale] Dropbox, Transporter, Bittorrent Sync, Owncloud, oh my ..

[DJ-Pfulio]

Lots of the network-NAS devices with this capability have backdoors or
other security issues. There was a warning about seagate NAS devices on
Cert last week.

Besides owncloud, seafile is an option. Both really need to only be
available over a VPN, if you care about security. These are the only
choices if you have "end-users" to deal with.

I use rsync. Works over ssh with keys. Proven with decades of use by
millions of people. Clients exist for every platform.
* decide on a "system of record" and only make changes there, if possible.
* setup crontabs to pull from the server, as needed. Once in the morning
works, if I think disconnected access will be needed. In a team
environment, that wouldn't be sufficient.
* when you do need to make local changes, push those to the server ASAP
- before the next push. If you forget, the local file will be newer, so
it won't be over written. In a team, you might get someone elses'
changes after yours.
* because it works over ssh, you can use all the normal ssh tools to
prevent brute-force attacks.

I don't have to be friendly towards other users. ;)


On 09/09/2015 01:19 PM, Mike Martin wrote:
> I've been wrestling with the TRANSPORTERS from CONNECTED DATA for a while.
> The concept is  -- a personal "Dropbox".  You control the media and the
> physical devices, you have clients on all your devices that connect to the
> "service" and supposedly all stays in sync with the world.  That was the
> idea.
> 
> The only "Creepy" part of the service is that they (Connected data) had to
> maintain an external management website and connection proxy to allow for
> the management of the devices, and to have a "dyndns" like service for
> connection endpoints to know how to connect to the servers correctly.  You
> had to register as a user with their portal -- whether you owned a device,
> or if you wanted someone to share, so there's this concept of them keeping
> a LDAP on all potential users of their solution.  Not too happy about
> having someone else having any ability to be able to connect to my content
> if there was a security breach (not if .. when..).
> 
> Connected Data has since refocused and gone upmarket. They are now
> concentrating to move to the SMB space, and are de-emphasizing the Consumer
> space.  I expect that its a question of time before they bow out of this
> space completely.  So, I'm looking for an alternative.
> 
> Benchmark is Dropbox.  I want to be able to have a synched data folder
> across multiple platforms (mac, win, linux).  So far, I've put a finger on
> OwnCloud, BitTorrent Sync. Protection, access, synch resiliency, and manage
> my own infrastructure is key.
> 
> So, I'm looking for some suggestions -- to either adopt or avoid -- for
> this "personally managed cloud sync service".
> 
> Options for data health (NAS drive units for endpoints) would be welcomed
> as well (using a Drobo 5N now).
> 
> TIA for your advice.
> 
> Mike
> 
> 
>