Choosing the Private Cloud for secure file syncing | Hacker News Reader

Choosing the Private Cloud for secure file syncing

blog.aerofs.com

45 pointsyurisagalov14 comments

Or you could choose an open-source tool like syncthing (http://syncthing.net) or clearskies (https://github.com/jewel/clearskies) or turtl (https://turtl.it)

My biggest fear is some tool/technology/protocol which is not well-tested destroying my data and all copies. My second biggest fear is that thing being closed source.

Snapshots + rdiff will get you the reassurance you want.

I actually have 2 ZFS based arrays in different locations, rsync-ing happily but... let's say I really like my data.

In the interests of full disclosure, I'm a happy AeroFS user; we use it to sync normal corp files plus also larger files (.isos and VM images) across a small number of users and a larger number of workstations. It was a little annoying in the past having to get Mac Java to work, but now that everything is bundled I don't have any major complaints.

It's pretty much my go-to answer for small team file syncing. It probably doesn't make sense for individual users unless they're technically sophisticated with a lot of computers. For larger enterprise use, no one has yet asked me to set up file sharing, but AeroFS would be a top option I'd consider.

The biggest problem with AeroFS now is that there isn't a whole lot of adoption on the mobile API, so mobile apps tend to support Dropbox, iCloud, and maybe Box (if enterprise focused), but not "save to AeroFS".

What do you recommend for individual users with 3-5 desktops/laptops and 2 iOS devices?

Note for the unclued: rdl is the author of the linked article.

If you need in-app syncing on iOS, Dropbox -- just be aware of the security limitations. iCloud has serious issues if you're not all-Apple, and moderate issues if you are all-Apple.

SpiderOak might be a good option, although there (like AeroFS) isn't much integration with iOS apps yet. Their security model and general thinking is probably the best of the public options. (Tahoe-LAFS is interesting too, but not really ready for prime time; it's a lot more like AeroFS in design with commercial providers added on.)

I still use Google Docs/Drive to share collaboratively-edited files with some people, and iCloud for iOS device backups, so I think the answer is there isn't a single answer.

https://turtl.it - Open source secure file/note syncing (disclosure, I'm the creator). We're gearing up to do iOS/Android apps so it may be viable for people like you soon, although if you can hold off on mobile until then it's viable now =].

Turtl is cool because the server is open-source as well, meaning you can use the hosted version (already all set up and ready to go) or install it on your own network.

Owncloud.

My solution to cloud storage has always been encryption. TrueCrypt, Boxcryptor, gpg with a frontend, etc.

If your files are properly encrypted you can safely store them anywhere you like, using whatever technology that best fits your usage scenario.

Full discloser: I'm a founder at Cloudtenna.

AeroFS is a great option for file-syncing. Compare public file sync (Dropbox), private file sync (AeroFS), and traditional network file shares (CIFS/NFS).

Can you risk files in the public cloud? If no, you're limited to just private file sync and traditional network shares. And this is where AeroFS can shine.

You may already have a network share. Its secure. But its a pain to access remotely (VPN) and mobile devices are not compatible at all. So you may choose to migrate your files into an AeroFS Private Cloud so you can sync files instead of browsing files via the network. Syncing files to your desktop gives you offline/remote access.

I'd argue the most secure option is probably leaving data where it already is. If you already have a file server, with permissions and such thats already vetted secure. Cloudtenna adds mobile file access to your on-prem file server. No need to migrate files to a new storage platform.

My blatant pitch aside, AeroFS is right solution if you want to replace mounted network file shares with file sync. Cloudtenna, instead, is good for adding the web/mobile access features of Dropbox to your existing network shares.

Maybe not entirely the same, but I'm a happy user of BitTorrent Sync (https://bittorrent.com/), it keeps all my machines in Sync flawlessly (Windows, Macs, iDevices ...) There's even a client for Synology, so you could create some folder on your NAS and sync it with your devices .

Yeah I have to second BitTorrent Sync.

It really shows that they have experience transferring big files over the internet (via P2P). With Dropbox I often only get 100-300 kb/s upload, BitTorrent Sync maxes out my connection. Download is a similar story.

And with encrypted secrets the server part is easy too. (Obviously you've got to trust them, but I'm writing this on OS X so...)

Tonido FileCloud (www.getfilecloud.com) is another great option for Secure Private Cloud File Sharing and Sync for Enterprises. The mobile apps are polished and no java client requirement for sync clients. Check it out. You will be glad.

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