[Solved] Backing up config files

[w82]

Hi,

Over the last month, I've had a lot of trouble with BTSync and had to reinstall several times. Each time I've done this, I have lost all the config options (mainly the shares). I'm now on the official debian version, but am confused which config files I should back-up.

I want to get to the stage where I can install BTSync on a freshly formatted device, restore a config, and all the old settings and shares are there and working.

Can anyone advise which folders and files are essential to be backed-up to make this happen?

Thanks

Will

[RomanZ]

Hi Will,

There are 2 ways :

1. You need to backup whole storage folder. Though, you'll need to be careful and ensure that folders path does not change.
2. Make your own config, with pre-defined folders (only standard folders supported). In this case, you'll need to keep only this config folder, Sync will create all other folders from it.

 

[w82]

Hi Roman,

Thanks. Option 2 makes more sense I think. So I took a look at the config and have tried to populate "Shared folders section" without luck.

I've used the key for a shared folder from another BTSync instance on another device. Is this correct? When I run BTsync, the folder isn't appearing, so I've obviously done something wrong and I'm sure it's to do with the key.

The docs for shared folders in configs is a bit sparse, so would love your help if you get time

Thanks

 

Will

[Helen]

Will,

is config valid? You can run it through a json validator. 

And does sync have rw access to the chosen directory? Check this. 

[w82]

Hi Helen,

I've managed to sort it, thanks. Here are my findings for backing things up on debian / raspberry pi.

Config

Webui and shared folders can't work together, so you can't monitor things in the web interface. To add a shared folder, you need a key which you can generate - then just use this key on other devices. Save the config file with a unique name so it isn't automatically over-written, and make a backup of it in a completely separate folder which isn't touched. Keep it safe!

To run this config using systemd, create a new service file. This is mine. Save and overwrite it in /lib/systemd/system/btsync.service

[Unit]
Description=BitTorrent Sync service
Documentation=http://help.getsync.com/
After=network.target

[Service]
Type=forking
User=pi
Group=pi
UMask=0002
Restart=on-failure
PermissionsStartOnly=true
PIDFile=/var/run/btsync/btsync.pid
ExecStartPre=/bin/mkdir -p /var/run/btsync
ExecStartPre=/bin/chown -R pi:pi /var/run/btsync
ExecStart=/usr/bin/btsync --config /home/pi/.config/btsync/config2.json

I'm running it as pi instead of btsync in order to preserve permissions.

When you upgrade btsync, all your settings are overwritten - including /lib/systemd/system/btsync.service. So, once you've installed btsync or upgraded, run a script to restore your backups:

sudo systemctl stop btsync.service
sleep 2
sudo rm /lib/systemd/system/btsync.service
sudo cp /home/pi/btsyncconfig/btsync.service /lib/systemd/system/btsync.service
sudo systemctl daemon-reload
sudo systemctl start btsync.service

This will run btsync using my backed-up config and all the old shares are still there.

Hope this helps someone

Will

Edited March 18, 2016 by w82

[Helen]

thank you Will! Much appreciated, your guide can be useful for others. 

yes, indeed, webui and "shared_folders" cannot live together in one config.