Differences

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--- syncthing [2026.04.06 08:33] – [Tech notes] Steve Isenberg
+++ syncthing [2026.04.06 09:53] (current) – Steve Isenberg
@@ Line 12: / Line 12: @@
 ===Folder Details====
 For a given folder on a given machine:
-  * Folder ID: Unique identifier for the folder across all devices (it's how Syncthing knows two folders are the same)
+  * **Folder ID**: Unique identifier for the folder across all devices (it's how Syncthing knows two folders are the same)
-  * Folder Path: The actual location of the folder //on this device//
+  * **Folder Path**: The actual location of the folder //on this device//
-  * Global State: The combined view of all files in the folder across all connected devices
+  * **Global State**: The combined view of all files in the folder across all connected devices
-  * Local State: The actual files currently present on this machine\\ If Global > Local: this machine is missing files (needs to download)\\ If Local > Global: this machine has changes not yet shared (needs to upload)
+  * **Local State**: The actual files currently present on this machine\\ If Global > Local: this machine is missing files (needs to download)\\ If Local > Global: this machine has changes not yet shared (needs to upload)
-  * Folder Type: Send & Receive (default): this machine sends and receives files\\ Send only: this machine sends files, doesn't receive. if it's missing changes, see: “Out of Sync (override changes)”\\ Receive only: this machine receives changes, doesn't send any changes made on this machine (if that happens, it's flagged “Local changes”)
+  * **Folder Type**: Send & Receive (default): this machine sends and receives files\\ Send only: this machine sends files, doesn't receive. if it's missing changes, see: “Out of Sync (override changes)”\\ Receive only: this machine receives changes, doesn't send any changes made on this machine (if that happens, it's flagged “Local changes”)
-  * Rescans: How often Syncthing checks the folder for changes
+  * **Rescans**: How often Syncthing checks the folder for changes
-  * File Pull Order: Determines which files get pulled first when syncing. Choices: Alphabetic, Smallest First Largest First, Oldest First, Newest First, Random
+  * **File Pull Order**: Determines which files get pulled first when syncing. Choices: Alphabetic, Smallest First Largest First, Oldest First, Newest First, Random
-  * Shared With: The list of other devices that sync this folder. Each device must be connected (paired) and accept the folder share.
+  * **Shared With**: The list of other devices that sync this folder. Each device must be connected (paired) and accept the folder share.
-  * Last Scan: The last time the folder was scanned.
+  * **Last Scan**: The last time the folder was scanned.
-  *
+===This Device===
+  * **Download and Upload Rate**: How fast this device is receiving or sending data from/to other devices
+  * **Local State (Total)**: Total size and file count of all data Syncthing is tracking on this device
+  * **Listeners**: Active Listeners / Configured Listeners
+  * **Discovery**: Working discovery methods / Configured discovery methods.  If something like 4/5, means one method failed or is unavailable. This is common and usually not a problem (unless you're having connection issues).
+----
+====Configuring Backup Copy from Windows to Mac====
+Windows machine is named ”W” and Mac machine is named ”M”.  We'll have W backup its Documents and Downloads directory to M' external HDD DE32.
+The intention is that M becomes the *mirror* of W’s folders, stored on an external HDD (`/Volumes/DE32`) on M. Here’s a step-by-step plan to do it safely.
+=== 1. Prepare the devices ===
+  * **On W (Windows machine)**
+    - Install and run Syncthing.
+    - Identify the folders to back up:
+      - Downloads: `C:\Users\<User>\Downloads`
+      - Documents: `C:\Users\<User>\Documents`
+  * **On M (Mac machine)**
+    - Install and run Syncthing.
+    - Ensure external HDD (`DE32`) is mounted and has enough space.
+    - Decide on backup paths on M:
+      - `/Volumes/DE32/W-Downloads`
+      - `/Volumes/DE32/W-Documents`
+=== 2. Share folders from W ===
+  * On W:
+    - Open Syncthing and click **Add Folder** for each folder if not already shared.
+    - Set a **Folder ID**, e.g., `W-Downloads` or `W-Documents`.
+    - Share each folder with M.
+Note: Folder names on W and M do not need to match. Syncthing uses Folder ID to identify folders.
+=== 3. Accept folder shares on M ===
+  * On M:
+    - Accept incoming share requests from W for `W-Downloads` and `W-Documents`.
+    - Set the **Folder Path** to the external HDD:
+      - `/Volumes/DE32/W-Downloads`
+      - `/Volumes/DE32/W-Documents`
+    - Set **Folder Type → Receive Only** to make M a read-only mirror of W.
+=== 4. Initial Sync ===
+  * Syncthing will start scanning and then syncing files from W to M.
+  * Monitor the folder status: `Scanning` → `Out of Sync` → `Up to Date`.
+  * For large folders, initial sync may take time.
+=== 5. Optional: Ignore temporary files ===
+  * To avoid backing up temporary or incomplete files in Downloads, add ignore patterns on W:
+<code>
+*.tmp
+*.crdownload
+*.part
+.DS_Store
+Thumbs.db
+</code>
+=== 6. Automate future backups ===
+  * Syncthing continuously monitors W for changes and replicates them to M.
+  * Keep external HDD mounted.
+  * Keep Folder Type **Receive Only**.
+  * Optionally, reduce rescan frequency for large folders to save CPU.
+=== 7. Safety Notes ===
+  * Do not set M to **Send & Receive** for these folders.
+  * Ensure external HDD is always mounted; otherwise, M will report ”Folder path missing.”
+  * Use clear Folder IDs (`W-Downloads`, `W-Documents`) to avoid confusion.
+=== Result ===
+  * W’s Downloads and Documents are continuously mirrored to M’s external HDD.
+  * M cannot accidentally overwrite W.
+  * Provides an offline-friendly backup in `/Volumes/DE32`.