As we already know, there are many ways to synchronize files between multiple computers in order to have the same data archive available on each computer. Synchronization takes place thanks to programs that hook up to an online storage cloud service.
The most used and popular cloud storage services with synchronization are Google Drive, Dropbox, Onedrive, Sugarsync.
All these services have one thing in common: synchronized files between computers are first uploaded to the internet on a cloud server managed by a company.
In this article we will see something different, that is, a way of synchronizing files directly, without going through an intermediate remote server and therefore without uploading files to the internet.
What we want to do is a direct transfer of data between computers .
In this way it becomes possible to synchronize an unlimited number of files, without space limitations and where there is no need to access an external online service account.
Obviously we talk about file synchronization via the internet because if you want to synchronize files and folders on the network you can use the Microsfot SyncToy program.
What we are looking for is a program similar to Dropbox or Skydrive which, however, does not store files on an external central server.
1) BitTorrent Sync (now called Resilio Sync) is a program that uses BitTorrent to transfer files, privately and in encrypted form, so that no one from the outside can know what they are.
Just install it, select a folder and generate a secret password that will be used on the other computer.
The folder will be kept automatically synchronized on all the PCs configured directly, both on the local network and via the internet, using the powerful and fast BitTorrent technology.
BitTorrent Sync can be installed on Windows, Mac and Linux, so you can use it to synchronize files even on different computers.
Unlike many other services, BitTorrent Sync is completely free and requires no connection to a separate server.
2) SyncThing is a very good alternative to BitTorrent Sync which works in a similar way. The open source program for Windows Mac and Linux allows you to choose which folder to share and synchronize among all the computers that have the application installed. There is no central cloud server where files that automatically transfer to all connected computers are stored.
3) AeroFS (retired) is another free program in the light version.
It creates a special folder which is synchronized on all computers where the AeroFS client is installed. AeroFS does not use BitTorrent, but is based on a user account system in which there is no cloud server, where the synchronized files are copied which therefore remain stored only on the computers.
AeroFS also says that the files and even their names remain hidden. Its interface is very similar to Dropbox therefore simple, with the difference that there are no limits to the size of the synchronized folder. Like Dropbox, AeroFS also supports Windows, Mac and Linux.
4) LogMeIn offers both cloud storage and a "DirectSync" function.
DirectSync allows you to synchronize an unlimited number of files directly between computers, skipping the upload to the cloud cloud (i.e. without uploading files online). LogMeIn is available for both Windows and Mac OS X, but not for Linux. To use Cubby you need to create a free account only that the DirectSync function which until recently was free has become a paid function.
LogMeIn is practically the real alternative to the defunct Windows Live Mesh that Microsoft has closed by replacing it, incompletely, with Onedrive.
5) SparkleShare is a program for synchronizing files via the Internet between multiple computers by creating your own server to be configured manually. The program is similar to Dropbox, open-source, which turns your computer into a synchronization server.
6) Syncany is a perfect alternative to BitTorrent Sync, which does not use cloud servers and which works perfectly to transfer files in p2p between all the devices in which it is installed, free and without limitations.
7) In other articles we have seen other solutions to transform your computer into an "in the cloud" file server accessible via the Internet without limits .
8) In another article we also saw the programs to share and transfer files on the Internet in P2P, even with direct transfer, that is, without going through a remote server and where uploads and downloads are simultaneous.
The disadvantages of solutions such as BitTorrent Sync and AeroFS that do not require a separate server and transfer data between computers directly are related to the fact that, in this way, there will be no backup copy of the files on an external server. Furthermore, the files will not be accessible via the internet via a browser as is the case for the files in Dropbox or Skydrive and will not even be viewable from a mobile phone or tablet. And of course, if you have not yet understood, for the synchronization to take place correctly, the computers must be switched on simultaneously or they will not be able to synchronize directly with each other.
The fact remains that with these direct transfer programs, an unlimited number of files or even entire partitions can be kept synchronized via the internet (it takes a fast internet on both sides, however), all completely under our control.
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