Syncing via local network connection or out over the interwebz?

My original reason for purchasing the My Cloud was so that I could access my home files at work or at my gf’s. But then it became obvious that it helps in keeping a synchronized backup for both my

As my desktop computer is within my local network, are my folders sync’d locally?.. OR… Do my computer’s sync folders sync via the internet… a rather circuitous route?

If it does sync locally, does a laptop sync locally when it is connected to the local network and then switch to syncing via the net when it is not? (I’m having a hard time figuring out how WDSync does things.)

If WDSync only syncs over the net then I should only save files directly to the My Cloud folders that show up in File Explorer in my local network RATHER than setting up the syncing folder pairs in WDSync. This would be faster and not use my internet bandwidth. I’d then use another program to create a backup.

If WDSync can sync locally then I should create the syncing folder pairs in WDSync and let it do its thing so that I have a backup.

Cheers!
Christopher

WD Sync will sync both locally and remotely. When your PC is connected to the local network WD Sync will sync through the local network. When connected to network at some other location WD Sync will use the internet to connect to your My Cloud and sync. See the following links. The User Manual explains WD Sync in Chapter 4, Backing Up and Retrieving Files, Synchronizing Your Files and Folders with WD Sync.

My Cloud User Manual: http://www.wdc.com/wdproducts/library/?id=439&type=25
How To Setup & Use WD Sync: http://mycloud.com/learn/?id=mycloud#wdsync

Please note that syncing files is different then backing up files. Syncing and backing up are two different tasks that accomplish slightly different end goals.

Also, before installing WD Sync perform a forum search to read the various issues/problems people are having with WD Sync. For local syncing some are dumping WD Sync due to the various problems with it and using Free File Sync (http://www.freefilesync.org/). Note however that Free File Sync doesn’t support syncing remotely other than using SFTP. The My Cloud does not officially support SFTP at this time.

GREAT! That’s nice to know that it automatically uses the faster path.

Thanks! :grinning:

Re the differences between syncing and backing up… Syncing DOES create a kind of defacto backing up for us lazy folk. :wink:

The main issue with relying on WD Sync as one’s backup program is if, and or when, someone changes a synced file on the My Cloud using another PC. That change is then replicated via WD Sync on the local PC. If one was using actual backup software like Smartware then the local PC file would not be affected by the file change on the My Cloud.

I don’t remember off hand if WD Sync allows for disabling of the bi-directional syncing so a user can select a one way sync only. By default the sync is bi-directional with WD Sync.