somewhere between pro and server

[canuck]

Hello,

I'd like to be able to 1) backup a folder at my office computer which is a mini server for some shared folders, running xp pro.

I'd also like to be able to sync folders from that server to my home computer or laptop.

Can I do this as a direct link with or without static IP at both locations?
Can I do this without VPN? I haven't set one up...
Is it secure if I'm only forwarding the powerfolder port to that machine or does that open up any other security risks?
Or do I need to use online storage as an intermediary step?

Can I use my own dedicated server running centos through ftp, sftp or some other mode as the intermediary instead of using powerfolder online storage?

I tried reading through all the docs and these questions remain unanswered, hopefully I didn't just miss them.

Thanks!

[B.A.]

Dear canuck
1.)
"somewhere between pro and server"

NO you are very far from needing a server version with your 3 computer setup.
you need a regular PowerFolder version (3 business/or 1 home depends on your use)
http://www.powerfolder.com/wiki/Do_you_need_a_PowerFolder_Server%3F

2.)
"Can I do this as a direct link with or without static IP at both locations?
Can I do this without VPN? I haven't set one up..."

YES if you open a port on both sides PowerFolder will etablish a direct link between your computers.Both functions are extending the security, but are not needed to make it secure or even work.
A vpn would create a double encyption by PowerFolder and the VPN
direct static ip connection blocks all connections except the declared ones but limits the possibility to invite other computers. PowerFolder by default is secure and encrypted with 4.0 will be even more secure since you will be able to give rights.

3.)
PowerFolder is not supporting ftp or other solutions but you can simply install an regular powerfolder instance on your server and you will be able to sync with it. The online storage is an option but not needed when you want to sync/backup between your own computers.

In general PowerFolder is exchanging data directly between your own computers

If a direct connect is not possible (closed ports) traffic will be relayed by our servers (this does not mean we can read the traffic since it stays encrypted for everybody but the person who is the target of the transfer.

the online storage can be enabled or disabled for each folder in various ways in 4.0 you will be also able to tell the client to never use it on client setup.



4.) "opening port is a security risk?"
To clarify. If you open port 50000 on your router and tell it to go to your PC then any request from the internet to your router over 50000 gets forwarded to your PC. If you have no application or service listening on 50000 then the packet goes no further.

http://martinz.wordpress.com/2007/09/17/does-port-forwarding-create-security-risk/

best regards
Bernhard Rutkowsky

[canuck]

That all sounds great, I'm going to give it a try on my office machine and laptop this week.

I hadn't thought of installing a pro copy on my web server but that sounds like a great idea. But can I have it encrypt the data stored there since it's potentially more of a public machine since it's not at my physical location?

I saw you're offering a 4.0 beta version. Do you think it's stable enough at this point to be relied on? If not, when do you feel it might come out of beta? I don't see a full feature list but if you're adding file versioning (or archiving) so that old copies can be automatically saved when files change, that's a bonus.

So far sounds like what I've been looking for!

[B.A.]

you might try to encypt your data before you sync it for example with: http://www.truecrypt.org/ buit Powerfolder is not encrypting data on the harddriven even so we encrypt the data on our servers but that requires a server version and some manual configuration.

About the beta:
Well its a beta so its not for serious useacses and it will be for about 2 weeks.
some main features will be:
file history
rights managment
easier setup porcesses
Mass delete sync protection
new ui with a lot of changes and improvments in workflow