Syncthing configuration -- (selective) syncing to many devices

[fender (NameHere)]

An attempt to describe / outline the backup regime - where Syncthing is part of it:

• 0a

  • Main point of “COMMON” folder in Syncthing = path of least resistance and friction:
    • Sometimes I have my tablet or a phone (Android), and I need to move a PDF or some file and access it from another device or computer.
    • I use the COMMON folder to traffic such files ad-hoc between devices.
    • I use OpenVPN and/or Tailscale to gain access to home network if I’m out and about / outside my LAN.

• 0b

  • I use Hyper Backup to selectivly create backups from other structures in the JD file system. Some more frequent, some less frequent, some encrypted. These backups are then put in the 9* area.

  • The [93] Cold_storage_single is my dumping ground. I only have a single copy of what in there. If the harddrive or NAS fails, life goes on. The alternative would be to delete those files.

• 1

  • My JD folder structure (approx 90% cured/matured at this point - still finding my ground with some areas/categories - but mostly happy):
  • • JD\

* JD_B\ (*technical reason - since this is backup* *target* *, it is split into separate "Shared folder" in Synology NAS - b for backup*)

• 2

  BACKUP - intent / design / what should it cover:

  • Trying to protect against / reason for backup / the most likely bad things to happen:

    Most likely, limited conseqences (probably fixable)

    • Scenario 1:
      • “Anti-Homer Simpson” (d’oh-moments) (human) and/or random disk/system/hardware failure on device X
        • NEED
          • Frequent backups
          • Multiple generations of backups / be able to go back in time if needed
        • TARGET
          • Hot storage, single and multi
        • IMPLEMENTED HOW
          • Syncthing, with and without versioning

    A bit less likely, but severe consequence if allowed to happen unmitigated / without prevention measures

    • Scenario 2:
      • Ransomware / malicious file system encryption
        • NEED
          • To keep files offline / disconnected - but with regular updates of files that don’t change too often
        • TARGET
          • Cold storage_backedup
        • IMPLEMENTED HOW
          • Remote control power > I have USB drives/USB docking stations that are connected w USB to the NAS servers - they have their power in remote control sockets. I turn them on when I want to sync or access files. Most of the time they are powered off.

• USBCopy (Synology) *described further down - (automagically copy files to external USB drive when connected or powered on)
  * rsync (Synology) *described further down

  Hopefully even less likely, but very bad consequence

• Scenario 3:

  • Fire, natural disaster - or other worst case scenario that destroys on-site drives and systems (main point; off-site backup)
    NEED
    * Worst-case scenario, all hardware is destroyed - everything except backups kept off-site is gone
    * (Don’t really like the idea of pushing stuff into the cloud, but with encryption I can live with it. I don’t consider myself naive, hence I understand that eveything is theoretically possible to decrypt - but not without effort. Encryption provides a basic level of comfort pushing personal data into the cloud.)
    • Also;
      * Small form-factor external harddrive with encrypted copy of files, kept off-site (typically in car or office)
      • TARGET
        • Offsite, cloud and/or external drive
      • IMPLEMENTED HOW
        • Hyper Backup (Synology) (create scheduled encrypted backups from selected folders)
        • USBCopy (Synology) (automagically copy files to external USB drive when connected or powered on)
        • Cloud Sync (Synology) (automagically upload encrypted backups to cloud services, preferably free tier Google Drive and/or OneDrive)
    • Hopefully doesn’t happen in my lifetime
      • Scenario 4:
        • Global extinction event
          • NEED
            • Don’t think I need backup for this one.
            • No efforts made.
  • Goal
    • Automate as much of it as possible (least amount of manual work / operations)
      • (I’m lazy - but I like running a tight ship, don’t like surprises)
    • Keep it as simple as possible

• 3

  • Setup (not all the details, but a quick look / overview - for reference | impression)
    • Hyper Backup (Synology NAS)

• Cloud Sync (Synology NAS)

• USB Copy (Synology NAS) > can set trigger conditions and tasks - example; run task if external drive is connected or powered on

• rsync
  • I use built in rsync clients on Synology NAS servers, Hyper Backup with latest, older clients with the older

NAS servers
* DS124 < main server, always on/powered - runs Syncthing
* DS209 < for rsync backups, runs RAID1 w 2 drives, always on, powered
* DS107+ < for less frequent rsync backups, poweroff most of the time, wakes on schedule

• Sorry for long post…
  • If anyone has any simplifications or things I’ve missed that should be covered, please hit me up