Move config of an already scanned external HDD to another machine

Support
1

Hello! I’ve just started using Syncthing to create a home cloud backup.

I have scanned and setup an external HDD with my PC (Windows 10). It took over 2 days for the entire scan to complete.

Now, I want to attach this HDD to my RPi 3B as an always on Syncthing device. Is there a way to move all the config from the PC to the RPi? Note that there are no other devices syncing yet, it’s a fresh new start.

Thanks!

2

You shouldn’t use NTFS on a Linux system (especially a low power one like RPi), if you want stable and performant sync. As NTFS has wonky permissions on Linux, you probably have to rescan everything again anyway; I’m not sure if ignore permissions is enough here.

I theory, you could copy the config and DB and edit the folder path inside the config.

3

Thank you. I wanted to confirm two things though -

  1. Config.xml from PC has its Device ID, where as RPi will have a different ID. Should I replace the device ID before I copy over config.xml from the PC?
  2. Should I remove all default index DB on RPi that are created after Syncthing is installed?
4

ST uses the certificates load it’s ID. If you leave the other ID it will just show up as a known device. I used to do this to prepopulate devices all the time.

I would… There is something about this that feels a little risky.

6

I followed the instructions. Syncthing seems to start normally, but the GUI on RPi doesn’t load for a long time as it scans the HDD - then it eventually comes up.

PC does show up as a known device. To anyone trying this - when you replace the config.xml in RPi, username/password of the PC needs to be entered for the RPi GUI at first.

It works! Thanks @wweich and @kluppy

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