How To: Private Sync Network Using Hamachi

[bruto]

While the programmers have created a fantastic program (thanks!), a number of people have expressed concern as to the integrity of the encryption methods used due to the fact the software is not opensource. To address some of these concerns I decided to do a write-up of a method I have been using for several months now. 

 

1) Download logmein Hamachi, a free VPN, to each computer you are syncing with.  The free unmanaged version will suffice for most people. https://secure.logmein.com/products/hamachi/download.aspx

 

2) I setup a mesh network which allows every computer in the VPN to see each other. This type of network will allow for more syncing bandwidth and redundancy than the other two types of VPN's they offer.

 

3) Add the computers you are syncing to the network. The free networks have a capacity of 5 computers per network. You can get around this by creating several networks and adding different combinations of computers until all computers can "see" each other.

eg: If you have computers 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 set up networks A, B, and C

• A will have 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
• B will have 1, 2, 3, 4, 6
• C will have 5, 6

Now all computers have access to each other through the Hamachi VPN service. Each computer is given a IPV4 address 25.xxx.xxx.xxx. I am aware of no limit to the number of networks you can have. The only restriction for the free accounts is that there may be a maximum of 5 users per network.

 

4) Now right click on the folder you are syncing in BitTorrent Sync and click on "Show Folder Preferences". Go to the properties tab. Uncheck "use relay server when required", "use tracker server", and "search dht network". Check "use predefined hosts". You can check or uncheck "search lan" depending on your particular application and/or preference.  Now click "add" to add the Hamachi ip address and BitTorrent Sync port other computers (The Hamachi ip address is shown in the Hamachi program and the BitTorrent Sync port is shown on the preferences tab of the main program.). It should look something like this.

 

 

Now your files are more secure. Even if someone is able to get a hold of your secret they will be unable to sync any of you content because your computers will only sync to the predefined hosts. You will also have one more layer of encryption to protect your data from the prying eyes of governments. One known limitation of this is that the Android (and probably IOS) apps do not have an option to configure predefined hosts but hopefully this will change for the next release. 

PS. Hamachi is currently in beta testing for android and IOS. To setup the mobile device you must use their preview site, then click add client.  There will now be an option for adding a mobile device (this option is not shown if you access through they standard hamachi login). https://preview.logmein.com/central/Central.aspx

 

I hope you find this how to useful and long live sync!

 

 

[GreatMarko]

a number of people have expressed concern as to the integrity of the encryption methods used due to the fact the software is not opensource. To address some of these concerns I decided to do a write-up of a method I have been using for several months now. 

 

1) Download logmein Hamachi, a free VPN, to each computer you are syncing with.  The free unmanaged version will suffice for most people. https://secure.logmein.com/products/hamachi/download.aspx

Errr.... Hamachi isn't open source either... so the whole reason for what you're trying to achieve here is somewhat flawed!! 

[bruto]

The BTsync data sent through Hamachi is encrypted so even if there were any attempt by Hamachi to monitor traffic it would be in vain. The main purpose of this is to limit exposure from someone using an identical key (random or theft).