NodeDirSync

NodeDirSync is a small program written in typescript, using node.js as runtime. The objective of this software is to allow the user to synchronize files between two computers, on the same local network or over the internet, utilizing the http protocol and websockets.

Client/Server architeture

Both client and server functionalities are included on the same package, giving you the possibility to run it as a server or as a client. Nonetheless, you have to choose one of the computers to be the server, and others to be clients. The server files will always be considered the source of truth. You can have how many clients you want, but only one server.

Realtime

When first connecting, the client will receive a updated list of the files from the server, check what needs to be downloaded, and do the primary sync. After that, it'll create a socket connection to receive updates.

When synced, only modified files on the server will be transferred to the clients.

Performance

Diff is not a thing in this program. It uses modification time to check if it needs to download the new version of the file, and then, downloads the whole file. This is not a problem when using for source-code (original objective) or small files, but can become a problem when watching bigger files (200mb+ for local network, 10mb+ for remote) that changes a lot.

Security

SSL Encryption was not implemented on the v1.0.0 version, since it was firstly designed to work on a local-network environment. That being said, be careful with what you share over the internet. I have plans to implement it in the future, along with other features. PR's are welcome.

Examples

1 - Running from source

Download or clone the repository.

To run as a server, run something like:

• node . \--server --directory /home/myserveruser/myserverfolder or

• node . -s -d /home/myserveruser/myserverfolder

To run as a client, run something like:

• node . --client --directory /home/myclientuser/myclientfolder --remote 192.168.0.101 or

• node . -c -d /home/myclientuser/myclientfolder -r 192.168.0.101

2 - Running from NPM

Comming soon.

3 - Running from a binary release

With this method, you do not need nodejs installed on the machine. Download a release for your OS here. Binaries are available for

• Windows x64 with node16
• MacOS x64 with node16
• Linux x64 with node16

For more releases, you can easily build it yourself by editting the "pkg:" session in the package.json, and ruinning npm run build This requires the pkg package being installed globally. You can get it here.

To run as a server, run something like (windows example):

• nodedirsync-win.exe --server --directory D:/example/myserverfolder or

• nodedirsync-win.exe -s -d D:/example/myserverfolder

To run as a client, run something like (linux example):

• nodedirsync-linux --client --directory /home/example/myclientfolder --remote 192.168.0.101 or

• nodedirsync-linux -c -d /home/example/myclientfolder -r 192.168.0.101

Flags and arguments

• -v or --version: show version.

• -h or --help: show help.

• -c or --client: run app as a client.

• -s or --server: run app as a server.

• -d or --directory: root directory to watch. use absolute path only. defaults to cwd.

• -i or --ignore: ignore list. looks like a .gitignore file. multiple entries are accepted.

(example: -i /node_modules /.git ./dist/fonts)

• -p or --port: custom port for the server/client to use. defaults to 3337.

• -r or --remote: (client only) remote server ip to connect.

• -q or --quiet: do not display logs.

Disclaimer

This softwares was not tested in all situations and with all filetypes. The only scenario where it was extensivelly tested is with sourcecode files in a local network environment. So, it's not guaranteed it will work for your use case.

License

ISC License (ISC) Copyright 2021 - Victor Hugo Sabiar

Permission to use, copy, modify, and/or distribute this software for any purpose with or without fee is hereby granted, provided that the above copyright notice and this permission notice appear in all copies.

THE SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED "AS IS" AND THE AUTHOR DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES WITH REGARD TO THIS SOFTWARE INCLUDING ALL IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE AUTHOR BE LIABLE FOR ANY SPECIAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES OR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER RESULTING FROM LOSS OF USE, DATA OR PROFITS, WHETHER IN AN ACTION OF CONTRACT, NEGLIGENCE OR OTHER TORTIOUS ACTION, ARISING OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH THE USE OR PERFORMANCE OF THIS SOFTWARE.