BitTorrent’s serverless P2P sync software hits beta, adds Android support

NSA-resistant? Sync files without storing them in the cloud.

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[Deleted member 80270]

I must say their sync does it right (well a lot better than all other sync "tools"). I can honestly say that most people want to sync without having a service provider or server with only ONE simple feature. When they have to use a service I am usually tasked for about 1 week to find out it's shortcomings. Wow do they have shortcomings and bugs galore. My clients only care to browse a folder on either machine and they both look the same. How hard is that? Judging by all the software out there to do this (and their shortcomings on each) it looks very hard. Some don't sync, some have limitations of folder depth, char depth, file systems, etc. Not to say BitTorrentSync doesn't have some limitations (it does) but nothing that is a show stopper that raises it's head because of file size or because a lazy programmer never thought someone would put a folder shortcut into a folder 3 levels down (an actual bug that stops all sync on a product). Just the native file system limitations so far (that I have seen).

This just works...and works for free. I know of about 20 people who are waiting to dump their dropbox/sharepoint sites once their mobile apps come out. *SPELLING AAAAAW*

 

[Davinchy]

Finally I can use cloud computing the way it was meant to be. While everyone whines about big brother somebody is creating solutions. This is the nature of the modern world and I'm ok with it. All that big brother stuff will slow down the dumb criminals. Which by definition is most of them. The normal dumb people will be monitored and corralled and smart folks that actually have ideas that somebody might want to know about will be pretty safe with things like tor and this type of software. The biggest brother in this modern world is Google,Apple,Microsoft. So getting my data out of their hands is my first priority. As inept as our government is at doing things I am much less worried about them.

 

[superdave2013]

I've been using the alpha with no complaints. It does what I want it to do simply.

 

[MightyPez]

Does this do delta updates (ala Dropbox) or does the fle need to be fully resycned each time? As an example, if metadata is written to a movie file does the file need to be completely uploaded? Or for the security minded, a larger Truecrypt container?

 

[Voldenuit]

This might be a good way to sync my Steam games. Steam cloud save has limitations and is not multi-user friendly.

For instance, XCOM ran into its cloud store limit without informing me and started deleting new saves after I had saved them to disk. Cost me a day's worth of play time before I caught on.

In another example, when my wife started playing Skyrim, the game was smart enough to write local saves to her user folder on the local drive, but it would overwrite my cloud saves that I had from my previous games.

For these reasons, I usually turn cloud saves off on Steam, but it would be nice to be able to sync savegame files between computers in a more granular manner.

 

[orangpelupa]

So where is our file stored if there's no server?

 

[MalnarThe]

orangpelupa[/url]":1w8i6eqh]So where is our file stored if there's no server?

On your home computer(s), laptop, mobile devices, etc

 

[Kazper]

MightyPez[/url]":1x2esx8f]Does this do delta updates (ala Dropbox) or does the fle need to be fully resycned each time? As an example, if metadata is written to a movie file does the file need to be completely uploaded? Or for the security minded, a larger Truecrypt container?

It didn't in alpha but it's high on their prioritylist. Also truecrypt containers might be a special case. I imagine they don't change 1 to 1 on updates? That would seem like a weakness.

 

[MightyPez]

Kazper[/url]":ghcasjzc]

MightyPez[/url]":ghcasjzc]Does this do delta updates (ala Dropbox) or does the fle need to be fully resycned each time? As an example, if metadata is written to a movie file does the file need to be completely uploaded? Or for the security minded, a larger Truecrypt container?

It didn't in alpha but it's high on their prioritylist. Also truecrypt containers might be a special case. I imagine they don't change 1 to 1 on updates? That would seem like a weakness.

I know when using Truecrypt with Dropbox it will do a delta update. I'm not sure if it's moving the exact change in size, but rather than move the entire 5gb+ container, only a portion is updated.

 

[Thisismyarsname]

Please, someone integrate this with open office. It'd be like googledocs with a fully functional editor.

 

[shadedmagus]

I don't normally try alpha software, especially if it has the potential to damage my files. But now I wish I had picked this up sooner.

BT's website is filtered, but you can be damn sure I'm picking this up as soon as I get home.

(EDIT: After reading the alpha blurb...)

Additions since the private alpha include one-way synchronization, one-time secrets for sharing files with a friend or colleague, and the ability to exclude specific files and directories.

HOLY CRAP WHY DIDN'T I PICK THIS UP BEFORE.

 

[charleski]

orangpelupa[/url]":3k7nisa6]So where is our file stored if there's no server?

You provide the server. You need at least one machine with local access to the desired files to remain powered on and connected at all times. A RPi hooked to a couple of disks is a reasonable low-power solution.

 

[Bengie25]

Just don't mix "Fun Stuff" with "Family Photos". You may get the wrong photos.

 

[Schmads]

Digitlman[/url]":gllbxjn9]Being closed source I still would not trust it to hold sensitive files.

Somehow I trust DropBox, but not this guy.

Must be because DropBox doesn't also make piracy software.

/ducks

#youknowitstrue

Whether or not bittorrent is used for piracy, I don't think that makes it "piracy software." But that's not a discussion particularly relevant to this (although I can sorta see where you're coming from, I just don't agree).

There are a ton of other bittorrent clients than the one made by them (didn't they end up buying uTorrent, also?), and I suspect that there are some that are open source. If open source variants of this service were created, based upon their client, that might be a "best of both worlds" situation, so we can hope for that

 

[lessthanjoey]

If this was open-sourced I'd be on it in a heartbeat.

 

[countcracula]

I used this software to sync some dvd-rips from a computer with a DVD-Rom and one without. For some reason the SMB kept failing halfway through a file transfer (this was all done locally) but this BT Sync app worked like a charm at full LAN speed.

One thing that sort of confused me though is that I didn't have to input an IP address to share with. I just generated a key on the first machine and then sent it over to the other computer over VNC. So it seems to me that the facilitation is done by BitTorrent the company, remotely, then the rest is handled P2P.

So it's not totally 100% reliant only on you and the local folders you want to sync. BitTorrent gets involved to do the matchmaking.

(please correct me if I'm wrong)

 

[Ardax]

Digitlman[/url]":dc1xsylx]Being closed source I still would not trust it to hold sensitive files.

Somehow I trust DropBox, but not this guy.

You trust this DropBox with sensitive files?

 

[daneren2005]

Oh the irony when while toting how awesome a serverless tech is, they end up admitting they had to setup a server to make it work the way they wanted it to.

But in all seriousness I see this tech definitely shaping up to be a good contender for things like OwnCloud if all you want is private file syncing. I would still setup a dedicated server with it so I can always access everything, but so far this is looking far more robust then the alternative, server only approaches. And not to mention having it just continue to work when my server goes down is a huge plus.

 

[Kydaria]

This gives me a good reason to get around to getting a home server.

 

[Ardax]

Oh the irony when while toting how awesome a serverless tech is, they end up admitting they had to setup a server to make it work the way they wanted it to.

The point being that it's their own server. Not some random DC on the internet that can go dark and take all your data along with it.

So it seems to me that the facilitation is done by BitTorrent the company, remotely

It's probably done using something like DHT. I doubt that there's a central server handling secret exchanges.

 

[Kazper]

countcracula[/url]":3d9126lu]
So it's not totally 100% reliant only on you and the local folders you want to sync. BitTorrent gets involved to do the matchmaking.

(please correct me if I'm wrong)

You are correct for default setup. However you can disable DHT trackers and other non-local trackers, and you can enter specific machines you want to connect to. So you can bypass them completely if you want.

As for this being closed-source that means I don't trust it with anything sensitive right now, but it's been great for syncing family photos with family around the country. And they do say they'll go open-source eventually.

 

[JackOfSpeed]

So you install, then share a a folder, but it asks to scan a QR code? What am I missing here? Thanks

 

[daneren2005]

Ardax[/url]":gm75k42c]

Oh the irony when while toting how awesome a serverless tech is, they end up admitting they had to setup a server to make it work the way they wanted it to.

The point being that it's their own server. Not some random DC on the internet that can go dark and take all your data along with it.

So it seems to me that the facilitation is done by BitTorrent the company, remotely

It's probably done using something like DHT. I doubt that there's a central server handling secret exchanges.

But that isn't serverless, it is a private server. Products have existed to fill this need for a long time, and it's nothing new. Most of them have sucked, but still...the point is they are advertising it as a product that just works around you without you needing to setup a server. But that is completely bullcrap, since at some point you will still need a server (whether it's your or not is irrelevant, or just leaving your PC on 24/7) to get the same sort of experience you have come to expect from something like DropBox.

 

[tigas]

A plug-in for this will be made for ReadyNAS and Synology. I'm sure of it. Sticking this on a FreeNAS box would be like falling off a flight of stairs. Where is your god now?

 

[Kazper]

daneren2005[/url]":2nur70ov]

Ardax[/url]":2nur70ov]

Oh the irony when while toting how awesome a serverless tech is, they end up admitting they had to setup a server to make it work the way they wanted it to.

The point being that it's their own server. Not some random DC on the internet that can go dark and take all your data along with it.

So it seems to me that the facilitation is done by BitTorrent the company, remotely

It's probably done using something like DHT. I doubt that there's a central server handling secret exchanges.

But that isn't serverless, it is a private server. Products have existed to fill this need for a long time, and it's nothing new. Most of them have sucked, but still...the point is they are advertising it as a product that just works around you without you needing to setup a server. But that is completely bullcrap, since at some point you will still need a server (whether it's your or not is irrelevant, or just leaving your PC on 24/7) to get the same sort of experience you have come to expect from something like DropBox.

First of all their ARM version runs fine on my NAS - and I suspect on most NAS products, which instantly solves the issue of having a 24/7 server. Secondly you don't really - it depends on your needs. If you need certain instant sync all the time, then yes. If your needs are a bit more relaxed just having a number of regular PCs all syncing with each other might suffice just fine.

 

[usmanismail]

When I read this article I mistakenly assumed it would backup my files to a bit torrent swarm. This is a good tool to have but its not much more than a glorified rsync daemon at its core.

 

[fishburn]

usmanismail[/url]":2sdifd48]When I read this article I mistakenly assumed it would backup my files to a bit torrent swarm. This is a good tool to have but its not much more than a glorified rsync daemon at its core.

I thought the same thing. A little disappointed that this wont let me access my files from anywhere with lightning-fast bittorrent speed.

 

[fdbryant]

fishburn[/url]":12ull0ow]

usmanismail[/url]":12ull0ow]When I read this article I mistakenly assumed it would backup my files to a bit torrent swarm. This is a good tool to have but its not much more than a glorified rsync daemon at its core.

I thought the same thing. A little disappointed that this wont let me access my files from anywhere with lightning-fast bittorrent speed.

Build your own swarm. Just stash your files in multiple locations. The more you set up the faster it is.

 

[usmanismail]

fdbryant[/url]":3jqfqsln]

fishburn[/url]":3jqfqsln]

usmanismail[/url]":3jqfqsln]When I read this article I mistakenly assumed it would backup my files to a bit torrent swarm. This is a good tool to have but its not much more than a glorified rsync daemon at its core.

I thought the same thing. A little disappointed that this wont let me access my files from anywhere with lightning-fast bittorrent speed.

Build your own swarm. Just stash your files in multiple locations. The more you set up the faster it is.

True but it would be so much more useful if it did not rely on just machines I own to maintain the swarm. If any authority can confiscate my primary machine they can get to my secondary ones too. However, if pieces of my file were distributed to a large bit torrent swarm it would be impossible to confiscate them all.

 

[AxMi-24]

How is security and encryption of the files handled here? Is it some kind of SSL setup with certificates? Having an external CA means that your files are just as open as when you send it to google or dropbox but you lose backup part of the deal.

Hopefully they handle it properly as it would be nice to have something user friendly for syncing many files and on many different devices.

 

[fdbryant]

AxMi-24[/url]":55n1sqw2]How is security and encryption of the files handled here? Is it some kind of SSL setup with certificates? Having an external CA means that your files are just as open as when you send it to google or dropbox but you lose backup part of the deal.

Hopefully they handle it properly as it would be nice to have something user friendly for syncing many files and on many different devices.

Basically you set or allow them to set a "secret" which is used to encrypt files which then can only be distributed to and decrypted by other PCs that you have given the secret too.

 

[lessthanjoey]

usmanismail[/url]":2ako40me]
True but it would be so much more useful if it did not rely on just machines I own to maintain the swarm. If any authority can confiscate my primary machine they can get to my secondary ones too. However, if pieces of my file were distributed to a large bit torrent swarm it would be impossible to confiscate them all.

But then other people have copies of my files. An option is OK, but I like keeping it "in-house" very much more.

 

[1232]

fdbryant[/url]":2snvxcai]

AxMi-24[/url]":2snvxcai]How is security and encryption of the files handled here? Is it some kind of SSL setup with certificates? Having an external CA means that your files are just as open as when you send it to google or dropbox but you lose backup part of the deal.

Hopefully they handle it properly as it would be nice to have something user friendly for syncing many files and on many different devices.

Basically you set or allow them to set a "secret" which is used to encrypt files which then can only be distributed to and decrypted by other PCs that you have given the secret too.

It's closed source. How can you guarantee that only your devices can decrypt the files?

 

[Schmads]

1232[/url]":wyvbl2ed]

fdbryant[/url]":wyvbl2ed]

AxMi-24[/url]":wyvbl2ed]How is security and encryption of the files handled here? Is it some kind of SSL setup with certificates? Having an external CA means that your files are just as open as when you send it to google or dropbox but you lose backup part of the deal.

Hopefully they handle it properly as it would be nice to have something user friendly for syncing many files and on many different devices.

Basically you set or allow them to set a "secret" which is used to encrypt files which then can only be distributed to and decrypted by other PCs that you have given the secret too.

It's closed source. How can you guarantee that only your devices can decrypt the files?

It would appear that currently you cannot, but a previous poster mentioned their intentions to go Open Source at some point, which would be great for transparency. Either way, it can't be WORSE for the security of your files than Dropbox, right?

Edit: I know that people have different needs, but as a simple and more flexible alternative to Dropbox, which keeps my files on my computers and no one else's, and supposedly encrypts everything in transit, I'm happy to give it a try.

 

[fdbryant]

1232[/url]":1zew2qkx]

fdbryant[/url]":1zew2qkx]

AxMi-24[/url]":1zew2qkx]How is security and encryption of the files handled here? Is it some kind of SSL setup with certificates? Having an external CA means that your files are just as open as when you send it to google or dropbox but you lose backup part of the deal.

Hopefully they handle it properly as it would be nice to have something user friendly for syncing many files and on many different devices.

Basically you set or allow them to set a "secret" which is used to encrypt files which then can only be distributed to and decrypted by other PCs that you have given the secret too.

It's closed source. How can you guarantee that only your devices can decrypt the files?

Honestly, you could show me the source code - and I still wouldn't know if there is something not right going on. So, until someone presents evidence to the contrary I'll trust it does what it says it does.

 

[falsifiable]

tigas[/url]":7u6rhzg3]A plug-in for this will be made for ReadyNAS and Synology. I'm sure of it. Sticking this on a FreeNAS box would be like falling off a flight of stairs. Where is your god now?

At this point there is a non-official package for Synology but it's not yet updated to match the beta version.

 

[fishburn]

fdbryant[/url]":3vcuvcbl]

fishburn[/url]":3vcuvcbl]

usmanismail[/url]":3vcuvcbl]When I read this article I mistakenly assumed it would backup my files to a bit torrent swarm. This is a good tool to have but its not much more than a glorified rsync daemon at its core.

I thought the same thing. A little disappointed that this wont let me access my files from anywhere with lightning-fast bittorrent speed.

Build your own swarm. Just stash your files in multiple locations. The more you set up the faster it is.

This is really impractical. Even if I did have several locations with independent internet connections (I don't), the combined upstream bandwidth would still be nothing compared to your typical well-seeded torrent. This will likely make it impossible to work with large files in any reasonable timeframe (unless we're talking about LAN-only).

I think the assessment of "glorified rsync daemon" is pretty spot-on.

 

[fdbryant]

fishburn[/url]":7u6iby22]

fdbryant[/url]":7u6iby22]

fishburn[/url]":7u6iby22]

usmanismail[/url]":7u6iby22]When I read this article I mistakenly assumed it would backup my files to a bit torrent swarm. This is a good tool to have but its not much more than a glorified rsync daemon at its core.

I thought the same thing. A little disappointed that this wont let me access my files from anywhere with lightning-fast bittorrent speed.

Build your own swarm. Just stash your files in multiple locations. The more you set up the faster it is.

This is really impractical. Even if I did have several locations with independent internet connections (I don't), the combined upstream bandwidth would still be nothing compared to your typical well-seeded torrent. This will likely make it impossible to work with large files in any reasonable timeframe (unless we're talking about LAN-only).

I think the assessment of "glorified rsync daemon" is pretty spot-on.

Perhaps, but personally I'm non-plussed about the idea of my files in the cloud to be stored on other peoples computers (not to mention storing their stuff on mine) even if under good encryption. Kinda of the point of Bitorrent Sync is that you are not storing on 3rd party (ala Dropbox) computers.