I only need to make backups on my own pc, without a network, with several shared partictions;

[RHAONE (RHAONE MOAJ)]

LINUX MINT 20.3; WITHOUT A NETWORK; LOCAL PC;

I HAVE MORE THAN 30 SSDS WITH 40 ACTIVE PARTICTIONS ON MY PC;

OF THESE 40 PARTICTIONS, 20 HAVE ORIGINAL DATA AND THE OTHER 20 ARE FOR BACKUP OF THE SAME;

I AM HAVING DIFFICULTY CONFIGURING THE “SYNCTHING” PROGRAM, THROUGH THE BROWSER, WHERE AFTER MANY TRIALS AND ERRORS IN THE CONFIGURATIONS, THE “Remote devices” BLOCK ALWAYS STAYS IN THE “DISCONNECTED” CONDITION;

THE “Folders” BLOCK IS IN THE “IN SYNCHRONY” CONDITION, IT’S OK;

I WOULD BE GRATEFUL FOR ANY HELP;

BELOW, RELEVANT PARTS OF THE "CONFIG.XML" FILE ...

(...)
    <folder id="BK_128_DISTROS" label="BK_128_DISTROS" path="/media/mint/BK_128_DISTROS" type="receiveonly" rescanIntervalS="60" fsWatcherEnabled="true" fsWatcherDelayS="10" ignorePerms="false" autoNormalize="true">
        <filesystemType>basic</filesystemType>
        <device id="IDSCTMZ-4ETRPWP-FQ6K5O2-EXNLKVI-FCC5XXT-HP5QDBS-FV4V2MK-RJFIKQL" introducedBy=""></device>
        <device id="NHIVGI3-37KRNGG-GKDK3RD-JBSOOEI-77FFK4U-I4GNEPA-MVYE7NJ-NV6S4AQ" introducedBy=""></device>
(...)
    <folder id="PR_128_DISTROS" label="PR_DIRET_TESTE" path="/media/mint/PR_128_DISTROS" type="sendonly" rescanIntervalS="60" fsWatcherEnabled="true" fsWatcherDelayS="10" ignorePerms="false" autoNormalize="true">
        <filesystemType>basic</filesystemType>
        <device id="IDSCTMZ-4ETRPWP-FQ6K5O2-EXNLKVI-FCC5XXT-HP5QDBS-FV4V2MK-RJFIKQL" introducedBy=""></device>
        <device id="NHIVGI3-37KRNGG-GKDK3RD-JBSOOEI-77FFK4U-I4GNEPA-MVYE7NJ-NV6S4AQ" introducedBy=""></device>
(...)
    <device id="IDSCTMZ-4ETRPWP-FQ6K5O2-EXNLKVI-FCC5XXT-HP5QDBS-FV4V2MK-RJFIKQL" name="BASE" compression="metadata" introducer="true" skipIntroductionRemovals="false" introducedBy="">
        <address>dynamic</address>
(...)
    <device id="NHIVGI3-37KRNGG-GKDK3RD-JBSOOEI-77FFK4U-I4GNEPA-MVYE7NJ-NV6S4AQ" name="DISP" compression="metadata" introducer="true" skipIntroductionRemovals="false" introducedBy="">
        <address>dynamic</address>
(...)
    <gui enabled="true" tls="false" debugging="false">
        <address>127.0.0.1:8384</address>
        <apikey>Fg7gKTCX97Tpia2afTWHMsiS2prSNhbD</apikey>
        <theme>dark</theme>
    </gui>
(...)
    <options>
        <listenAddress>default</listenAddress>
        <globalAnnounceServer>default</globalAnnounceServer>
        <globalAnnounceEnabled>false</globalAnnounceEnabled>
        <localAnnounceEnabled>true</localAnnounceEnabled>
        <localAnnouncePort>21027</localAnnouncePort>
        <localAnnounceMCAddr>[ff12::8384]:21027</localAnnounceMCAddr>
(...)

[tomasz86]

Please do not use all caps when writing, the text difficult to read that way.

Can you post screenshots of the Syncthing Web GUI from both sides? Please make sure that the information under “This Device” is fully visible, especially “Discovery” and “Listeners”. Also make sure to show the connection status in the remote device information.

[acolomb (André Colomb)]

@RHAONE

WITHOUT A NETWORK

Sounds like you are trying to use Syncthing to keep local folders in sync? That’s not what it’s made for. You can synchronize folders between several devices connected over a network.

[RHAONE (RHAONE MOAJ)]

@tomasz86

Please do not use all caps when writing, the text difficult to read that way.

Can you post screenshots of the Syncthing Web GUI from both sides? Please make sure that the information under “This Device” is fully visible, especially “Discovery” and “Listeners”. Also make sure to show the connection status in the remote device information.

Sorry … I will change if is possible …

[RHAONE (RHAONE MOAJ)]

I know that, but as I have tried several other synchronizers such as FREEFILESYNC, RSYNC, RCLONE, UNISON, all of these inflate the root of my system; I also liked the robustness and structure of this one;

[acolomb (André Colomb)]

Strange that it doesn’t show a Device ID for “DISP”. What strange version of Syncthing are you running?

It’s still not possible to synchronize between local folders on the same Syncthing instance. A rather hacky workaround would be running two instances on the same system, but in that case Syncthing really isn’t a good fit for your use-case.

[RHAONE (RHAONE MOAJ)]

This synchronizer is very well designed and I like the simple way it works; I hope I find a way to achieve my goal and maybe other simple backup enthusiasts can also take advantage of it;

[tomasz86]

Although the specific number isn’t displayed, I’d assume that, at least on one device, you’re running an ancient version of Syncthing, which may not be able to connect and work with the current versions.

Please check https://apt.syncthing.net and change the update channel (if your Linux is something based on Debian or Ubuntu).

[RHAONE (RHAONE MOAJ)]

syncthing is already the latest version (1.1.4~ds1-4ubuntu1.2)

My Linux is based in the ubuntu; Linus Mint, 20.3;

I will visit the site of your sugestion, grateful;

[martinleben]

@RHAONE

OF THESE 40 PARTICTIONS, 20 HAVE ORIGINAL DATA AND THE OTHER 20 ARE FOR BACKUP OF THE SAME;

Syncthing is not a backup program and what you will get is not backup, unless you take other measures on top of what you have shown so far.

You will get synchronized copies. This is not the same as backup. Synchronized copies will help you in case of disk crashes or stolen machines. But if, for example, you accidentally delete files or ransomware encrypts your files, the synchronized copy will also be destroyed.

I really recommend that you take a few steps back and think about the problems you want to protect your data from. Choose a real backup solution like for example Restic instead.

[RHAONE (RHAONE MOAJ)]

I have already used the synchronization programs Freefilesync, Rsync, Rclone, Unison, and all of them inflated the system device (I don’t know why);

In my favor, there is the possibility in “SYNCTHING” of defining the synchronization interval, which can be 24 hours for example, and this solves the problem of losing file data, giving you enough time to resolve this;

Another thing in favor is that one can determine the direction of this synchronization, that is, from where to where;

This “SYNCTHING” synchronizer was very well designed and I like the simple way it works; I hope I find a way to achieve my goal and maybe other simple backup enthusiasts can also take advantage of it;

Until that happens, I will test the “Restic” program suggested by you; thank you;

[gadget]

@RHAONE

I have already used the synchronization programs Freefilesync, Rsync, Rclone, Unison, and all of them inflated the system device (I don’t know why);

“inflated the system device”… you mean they filled up the root partition of your Linux Mint host?

If yes, that is very unusual. I have actively used rsync, rclone and Unison, and previously tested FreeFileSync without ever running across that behavior.

When pushing changes to a target host, I don’t see any reason they would fill up the local storage because none of them maintain any kind of caching or even a local file inventory.

If you do not mind expanding on what happens, maybe we can help you sort it out.

This “SYNCTHING” synchronizer was very well designed and I like the simple way it works; I hope I find a way to achieve my goal and maybe other simple backup enthusiasts can also take advantage of it;

As others have already pointed out, it is just a disaster waiting to happen…

Whether it is accidental deletion(s), local data corruption due to filesystem errors and/or hardware failures, ransomware encrypting all of your files, etc. – the damages will be synced to your “backup” before you are likely to notice.

Syncthing is an excellent standalone sync tool, and also makes a great companion to a backup program (e.g. Syncthing → host → Restic → backup storage), but by itself is not a substitute for a proper backup program: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_backup_software

[RHAONE (RHAONE MOAJ)]

I appreciate everyone’s concern about this;

I still have hope of finding a way to achieve this goal of mine, as I am always trying out new programs in general and I found something very good about this “SYNCTHING” in its purpose that I also still think is the same for my personal purpose of using it as a backup;

And I’ll come back here and say whether this was possible or not… but I’ll leave my final opinion here and who knows, maybe even the solution to this purpose of mine;

[RHAONE (RHAONE MOAJ)]

“If you do not mind expanding on what happens, maybe we can help you sort it out.”

Yes, it is very unusual for me too and I think there is another problem causing this, but anyway I only got to know the “SYNCTHING” program because of this, which became for me a challenge to reach the summit of Everest;

[RHAONE (RHAONE MOAJ)]

Unfortunately, I was unable to reach the top of Everest;

The best solution I found was not enough to meet my expectations;

The solution was to create a different user on my local PC, but this resulted in a great overload on the processor, requiring a system restart and restoration of the last backup;

I thank everyone for their attention and suggestions;

As I said before, I will test the “Restic” program suggested by member “martinleben”;

I hope it doesn’t happen like the others I mentioned;

Best regards to everyone;

RHAONE MOAJ - 2025-01-09_014716