Syncing software

YK

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Jul 29, 2021, 9:14:45 PM7/29/21

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I have a customer that wants to sync their documents, including
Filemaker Pro databases between their office iMac and home MacBook Pro.
They are both on the same network and running the same OS. I've never
had the occasion to do this in my years of providing support. Anyone
have suggestions on the software to use. Found several possibilities,
but would like to hear from someone with real world experience of
accomplishing this. TIA

YK

Percival John Hackworth

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Jul 29, 2021, 11:17:39 PM7/29/21

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Sync-ing a database between multiple systems is not trivial. Depending on the
direction you want to sync--master-->client or node <--> node (bidirectional),
you can have a mess if the software isn't designed to allow this.

I know on MySQL, Postgresql, and Oracle, they have feature called
"replication" where you setup a replicant node (slave is the old term but it's
being removed from such tools out of Wokeness). Any write to a database
creates a duplicate write to the replicant. It's not bidirectional. If you're
lucky, Filemaker has this facility.

If there's no replication, you'll have to automate an extraction all data in
the database in some portable form that can be imported. MySQL has an Export
feature. Copy that file over to your wife's computer and import it.

Not a trival task.
--
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Your Name

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Jul 29, 2021, 11:51:32 PM7/29/21

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You could use iCloud (is using the same AppleID), DropBox, etc. On the
softwear side there is Sync Folders on the App Store or ChronoSync, or
you could write a script to use the MacOS built-in Rsync terminal
command.

Whatever you use, you need to make sure you've closed the FileMaker
database before syncing it, otherwise it may not have fully saved any
changes. The same is true for any other documents really, although with
some apps, the iCloud approach will mean you can simply continue
working on an open document.

Depending on the requirements, probably the simplest approach is to
simply store the files on a portable external drive an access them from
there. The syncing can then be done as a backup system on both Macs.

Lewis

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Jul 30, 2021, 12:14:13 AM7/30/21

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iCloud
Sync
Dropbox

However, syncing database files is tricky, and may require things like
ensuring the database is not being accessed before it is synced.
FileMaker may have a way to manage this on it's own, so I would start
there for those files.

--
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Connie: Yes, I have a falsetto voice.
Chico: That's-a funny; my last pupil she had-a false set-a teeth.

Dr Eberhard W Lisse

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Jul 30, 2021, 2:33:22 AM7/30/21

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Am using Unison for years.

https://www.cis.upenn.edu/~bcpierce/unison/

el

Calum

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Jul 30, 2021, 9:05:41 AM7/30/21

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On 30/07/2021 05:14, Lewis wrote:

> iCloud
> Sync
> Dropbox

All of those involve syncing via 3rd-party servers, of course, which is
a bit circuitous when the two machines are on the same network. Given
that there's work data involved, there may also be data protection or
other security considerations--the company I work for certainly doesn't
allow any of our business data to pass through any of those services
under any circumstances.

A peer-to-peer solution like Resilio, or even plain old rsync, might be
more appropriate.

> However, syncing database files is tricky, and may require things like
> ensuring the database is not being accessed before it is synced.

Yep.

nospam

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Jul 30, 2021, 9:08:31 AM7/30/21

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In article <se0tf1$1m4d$1...@gioia.aioe.org>, Calum

<com....@nospam.scottishwildcat> wrote:

>
> > iCloud
> > Sync
> > Dropbox
>
> All of those involve syncing via 3rd-party servers, of course, which is
> a bit circuitous when the two machines are on the same network. Given
> that there's work data involved, there may also be data protection or
> other security considerations--the company I work for certainly doesn't
> allow any of our business data to pass through any of those services
> under any circumstances.
>
> A peer-to-peer solution like Resilio, or even plain old rsync, might be
> more appropriate.

nextcloud on a local server.

Lewis

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Jul 30, 2021, 10:11:52 AM7/30/21

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In message <se0tf1$1m4d$1...@gioia.aioe.org> Calum <com....@nospam.scottishwildcat> wrote:
> On 30/07/2021 05:14, Lewis wrote:

>> iCloud
>> Sync
>> Dropbox

> All of those involve syncing via 3rd-party servers, of course, which is
> a bit circuitous when the two machines are on the same network. Given
> that there's work data involved, there may also be data protection or
> other security considerations--the company I work for certainly doesn't
> allow any of our business data to pass through any of those services
> under any circumstances.

If the company you work for doesn't understand how encryption works,
then they have far greater problems than syncing data files. It is
trivial to ensure that your data is only accessible by you, regardless
of where it is store.

There is also Bit torrent sync (renamed, but I forget the name) which
does not involved other servers.

> A peer-to-peer solution like Resilio, or even plain old rsync, might be
> more appropriate.

That's the name.

>> However, syncing database files is tricky, and may require things like
>> ensuring the database is not being accessed before it is synced.

> Yep.

--
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(Scream)

YK

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Aug 4, 2021, 12:06:01 PM8/4/21

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Addressed the issue for FileMaker Pro by using sharing (The client has
two licenses and just has to remember the file they want to alter has to
be open on the main computer. Addressed the rest using Sync Folders Pro,
which I hope take care of the other files. The issue is a non-attached
office (Hard wired to the same network) with the iMac and a MacBook Pro
in the residence. They want to work on the Pro if a client calls them
outside of business hours. They are syncing Mail, Calendars, Notes,
Keychain, and Safari bookmarks through iCloud.

Thanks to all who answered.

YK