NAS devices which are able to offer 2-way realtime folder sync?

[swinster]

Hi,

Am am looking for a couple of inexpensive (ideally 2 drive, but will make do with single drive) NAS units which enable 2-way folder synchronisation. This are only to be use in a Home/small office environment.

Essentially, I want to be able to have 2 NAS devices in separate locations in which I want the same files on both device, and that I can write to EITHER NAS unit, then for those changes to be automatically and instantly synchronised with the other device. The 2 devices maybe able to connected directly via the same WiFi network, but otherwise via the internet.

A lot of devices have backup to a second device, or even scheduled rsync or similar, but this is not the same as 2-way folder real-time synchronisations. I found this out after narrowing in on the Synology DS212j/DS213j only to find that this is not supported on this model - shame because this was rated highly and seemed like a really good unit.

Any hints and tips welcome.

 

[teknojnky]

The short answer is none.

real time bi-directional sync is something that is even difficult to do at the high end.

the readynas have an addon service by egnyte which offers a type of cloud sync, but its not free and is an ongoing paid for service to use.

that said, there are some possible solutions that could be enabled via linux command line on some nas.

Since I don't have any experience with any of them, I will leave that to you or others to google or offer their experience.

 

[stevech]

Hi,

Am am looking for a couple of inexpensive (ideally 2 drive, but will make do with single drive) NAS units which enable 2-way folder synchronisation. This are only to be use in a Home/small office environment.

Essentially, I want to be able to have 2 NAS devices in separate locations in which I want the same files on both device, and that I can write to EITHER NAS unit, then for those changes to be automatically and instantly synchronised with the other device. The 2 devices maybe able to connected directly via the same WiFi network, but otherwise via the internet.

A lot of devices have backup to a second device, or even scheduled rsync or similar, but this is not the same as 2-way folder real-time synchronisations. I found this out after narrowing in on the Synology DS212j/DS213j only to find that this is not supported on this model - shame because this was rated highly and seemed like a really good unit.

Any hints and tips welcome.

I thought the Synology DSM was essentially the same on all, except for RAID size.

 

[swinster]

I thought the Synology DSM was essentially the same on all, except for RAID size.

I wrote to Synology last month this this very question. This is their response:

At present with Synology our shared folder synchronization is one way only, this does not yet operate in a master / slave configuration. We are however currently developing the ability of a bi-directional folder sync we expect this to be released in a further version of our DSM operating system.

I have seen a similar posting in the QNap forum saying that they are looking into a firmware release to support this.

 

[stevech]

Just use a client on the PC, making use of a share on the NAS.
Such as Centered Systems' SecondCopy. It gives you all the sync'ing options: one way, two-way, etc.

 

[swinster]

Just use a client on the PC, making use of a share on the NAS.
Such as Centered Systems' SecondCopy. It gives you all the sync'ing options: one way, two-way, etc.

And this can be used to replicate an synchronise changes to multiple NASs at the same time?

 

[teknojnky]

The biggest issue with bi-directional sync is conflict resolution.

What happens when someone opens the same document at multiple locations, each make different changes and save at different times.

Whoever saves last wins.

 

[stevech]

yeah, I don't use two-way synch. Too many chances for error on who has "THE" master file version.