I'm working on a project where lab machines need to access a NetApp CIFS share that connects the lab network (which doesn't use Active Directory but has Internet access) with our share on the production network. Initially, we thought about using Robocopy, but our needs assessment from the lab team indicated that we need a bidirectional sync instead of just a replica.
Currently, I've set up a Windows Server VM in the lab that is part of a workgroup, but I'm open to using a Samba share for lab machines as well. The goal is to consolidate the numerous drive mappings into a single file share and keep the data synced between the two environments.
The firewalls are a bit of a mess and allow for some connections, but we can manage direct connectivity between the environments. While I have experience with SyncThing in the past, it wasn't under strict regulations and the intervals for syncs need to be under five minutes.
It seems like rsync could be a good fit for this situation, where the lab share could host the file share and sync with the NetApp CIFS share using Debian/RHEL. The files aren't huge (about 4GB total), just updates from lab batch runs and results. Any suggestions on the best approach?
6 Answers
I've been using SyncBack Pro for years without issues, and it offers a ton of configurable options for syncing files both ways. If you need something simple, Limagito's Free Lite edition can also handle basic tasks effectively.
Just to clarify, is your lab network actually connecting to the production NetApp CIFS share? If so, that might streamline your process, since you wouldn't have to use multiple systems.
When considering syncing options, ask if you need DACL/SACL/Owner info to sync as well. If that's essential, go with Windows tools like Robocopy. Here's a quick setup: you can start with Robocopy to clone your data, then for ongoing updates, set up a schedule to check for changes using `find` combined with Robocopy. Just remember, if you're doing bi-directional sync, flipping your source and target could create a ping-pong copy loop if the timestamps aren't aligned. Monitor your edits carefully, as simultaneous modifications on both sides can cause conflicts.
Have you thought about backing up your data regularly and transferring it via an SFTP server accessible by both machines? TLS/SSL keeps everything secure, and it’s a solid way to manage your data.
You might want to try RealTimeSync from FreeFileSync. It's free and does a great job at setting up real-time file synchronization, which could work well for your needs.
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