Securing BitTorrent Sync on Linux Server

[Blacktron]

Hello there,

I want to install BTSync on a linux server directly connected to the internet. When I run ./btsync and then configure everything using a config file, nothing works. So, no files get synced. When I use the webinterface everything works just fine. But I don't want to use the web interface because everybody could connect and connect to my folder.

So, whats wrong with my config?

{

"device_name": "VPS",

"listening_port" : 0, // 0 - randomize port

/* storage_path dir contains auxilliary app files

if no storage_path field: .sync dir created in the directory

where binary is located.

otherwise user-defined directory will be used

*/

"storage_path" : "/home/btsync/.sync",

// uncomment next line if you want to set location of pid file

// "pid_file" : "/var/run/syncapp/syncapp.pid",

"check_for_updates" : true,

"use_upnp" : true, // use UPnP for port mapping

/* limits in kB/s

0 - no limit

*/

"download_limit" : 0,

"upload_limit" : 0,

/* remove "listen" field to disable WebUI

remove "login" and "password" fields to disable credentials check

*/

"webui" :

{

"listen" : "[myIP]:8888",

"login" : "blacktron",

"password" : "[myPassword]"

}

/* !!! if you set shared folders in config file WebUI will be DISABLED !!!

shared directories specified in config file

override the folders previously added from WebUI.

*/

/*

,

"shared_folders" :

[

{

// use --generate-secret in command line to create new secret

"secret" : "MY_SECRET_1", // * required field

"dir" : "/home/user/bittorrent/sync_test", // * required field

// use relay server when direct connection fails

"use_relay_server" : true,

"use_tracker" : true,

"use_dht" : false,

"search_lan" : true,

// enable sync trash to store files deleted on remote devices

"use_sync_trash" : true,

// specify hosts to attempt connection without additional search

"known_hosts" :

[

"192.168.1.2:44444",

"myhost.com:6881"

]

}

]

*/

// Advanced preferences can be added to config file.

// Info is available in BitTorrent Sync User Guide.

}

Can anyone tell me whats wrong? Is something missing in my config file?

[splat]

You'll ned to specify which folders you're trying to share. See this block:

/*
,
  "shared_folders" :
  [
    {
//  use --generate-secret in command line to create new secret
	  "secret" : "MY_SECRET_1",				   // * required field
	  "dir" : "/home/user/bittorrent/sync_test", // * required field
//  use relay server when direct connection fails
	  "use_relay_server" : true,
	  "use_tracker" : true,
	  "use_dht" : false,
	  "search_lan" : true,
//  enable sync trash to store files deleted on remote devices
	  "use_sync_trash" : true,
//  specify hosts to attempt connection without additional search
	  "known_hosts" :
	  [
	    "192.168.1.2:44444",
	    "myhost.com:6881"
	  ]
    }
  ]
*/

You'll need to remove the block comment (/* and */ on the first and last lines) and configure the "secret", "dir", and "known hosts" blocks appropriately.

[Blacktron]

Alright, I added the secret, removed the known_hosts, and edited the dir. Now it synced, which is nice. But why can't I log on to the webUI? When I try my browser says the site couldn't be found?!

[splat]

It's an either-or: if you use the config.json to specify syncing, that disables the web interface. See also:

/* !!! if you set shared folders in config file WebUI will be DISABLED !!!
   shared directories specified in config file
   override the folders previously added from WebUI.
*/

[Blacktron]

Well, OK, thank you.