5 ms·

It can only sync data between devices that are operating of course. But if you have three devices A,B,C then it can also sync A-B and later sync B-C, or sync A-

It can only sync data between devices that are operating of course. But if you have three devices A,B,C then it can also sync A-B and later sync B-C, or sync A-C directly if both are running.

catacombs 8y ago
> It can only sync data between devices that are operating of course. What does this mean? Does my desktop always need to be on? Or, can I change a file on my laptop, then, when I turn on my desktop, get those changes on the same file?
- hellcow 8y ago
  It means you need both computers to be on at the same time to sync between them. Alternatively you can spend $5/mo for a server to handle the syncing between laptop and desktop in the way the grandparent described.
  - jjeaff 8y ago
    Or plug in something small like a raspberry pi with an external USB hard drive.
- zeta0134 8y ago
  I do exactly this regularly, but it only works because for my most important folders (like personal documents), _somewhere_ I have a device online that is facilitating the sync. In my case, my Desktop, Laptop, mobile phone (Android), and a Cloud Server that I use for other things. To answer the question most directly: If you have only your desktop and your laptop, then for the sync to work, at some point they both need to be powered on and online at the same time. This is one area where syncthing is a bit weaker than some other cloud-backed options; at that point you're essentially paying a service provider to replace the cloud server in my personal setup with their own always-on solution. Personally I prefer not to rely on a third-party, depending on your goals though you should pick a solution that makes sense for you.
- n4r9 8y ago
  You would need to have a chronological chain of pairs of devices operating at the same time, beginning with your laptop and ending with your desktop. I tend to use my phone to ferry information between home pc and work pc. If I change something in my sync folder at work, I'll run sync thing on the pc and phone before leaving, then run it on my home pc and phone when I want the information to update on my home pc. Another option is to simply have a third system (eg your own server) which is constantly operating on the Internet and running sync thing.

It can only sync data between devices that are operating of course. But if you have three devices A,B,C then it can also sync A-B and later sync B-C, or sync A-C directly if both are running.

catacombs 8y ago

> It can only sync data between devices that are operating of course. What does this mean? Does my desktop always need to be on? Or, can I change a file on my laptop, then, when I turn on my desktop, get those changes on the same file?

hellcow 8y ago
It means you need both computers to be on at the same time to sync between them. Alternatively you can spend $5/mo for a server to handle the syncing between laptop and desktop in the way the grandparent described.
- jjeaff 8y ago
  Or plug in something small like a raspberry pi with an external USB hard drive.
zeta0134 8y ago
I do exactly this regularly, but it only works because for my most important folders (like personal documents), _somewhere_ I have a device online that is facilitating the sync. In my case, my Desktop, Laptop, mobile phone (Android), and a Cloud Server that I use for other things. To answer the question most directly: If you have only your desktop and your laptop, then for the sync to work, at some point they both need to be powered on and online at the same time. This is one area where syncthing is a bit weaker than some other cloud-backed options; at that point you're essentially paying a service provider to replace the cloud server in my personal setup with their own always-on solution. Personally I prefer not to rely on a third-party, depending on your goals though you should pick a solution that makes sense for you.
n4r9 8y ago
You would need to have a chronological chain of pairs of devices operating at the same time, beginning with your laptop and ending with your desktop. I tend to use my phone to ferry information between home pc and work pc. If I change something in my sync folder at work, I'll run sync thing on the pc and phone before leaving, then run it on my home pc and phone when I want the information to update on my home pc. Another option is to simply have a third system (eg your own server) which is constantly operating on the Internet and running sync thing.