Installation for Linux and Others

Before using SyncDat software for the first time, verify that you have a working network path and that you have downloaded the correct package for your operating system.  The unix packages are distributed as gzip'd tar archives.

Server Installation

These instructions are for installation of the SyncDat server software as system daemon on on a Linux or other unix host.  If you do not have access to an administrative account or only wish to perform a quick test of the server software without installing it, see the Server Command Line section below.

If this is the first time servedat has been installed on this system, and you do not customize its configuration, it will run with the following defaults:

• Users will authenticate using the same username and password as they would for a secure shell login (System Authentication).
• The default Home Directory for each user will be their system home folder.
• All users may access other folders by specifying an absolute path such as /mnt/disk1 in the client.  Access is limited the same as if they were logged in via secure shell.

If you wish to configure other modes of user authentication, see the Adding Users section.  If you wish to make other configuration changes, see the Configuration File section.  Most users use the defaults for their first time installing servedat.

To install servedat as a system daemon, without modifying its configuration, follow these steps:

1. Log in to the server as root or as a local administrator.
2. Verify that there are no Quick Start or command-line instances running: only one servedat may run at a time.  Existing system daemon instances (from prior installs) will be replaced automatically.
3. Extract the "syncdat" distribution package appropriate to the host operating system and locate the "Server Files" folder.
4. Run the install-servedat.sh script.
5. Enter your administrative or root password, if prompted to do so.
6. If you are installing a free trial or upgrading an existing license, answer 'n' when prompted for a license code.  If you are installing a newly licensed server, or changing the license code, enter 'y' and type the license code when prompted.  Make sure the license code matches the host machine you are installing upon.
7. If a servedat.cf configuration file is already installed, you will be asked whether to replace it.  Answer 'y' only if you have just modified the servedat.cf file in this "Server Files" folder and wish to use that instead of the existing one.
8. Confirm that you wish to start the newly installed server.  If a server is already running, answering 'y' will stop the old one before starting the new one.
9. Check the installation output for any errors or warnings.  View the server log in /var/log/servedat.log or /var/adm/servedat.log to check for errors or warnings.

After successfully installing servedat, you may proceed to Client Installation to test that it is accessible.

Running install-servedat.command offers to replace an existing servedat.cf from the "Servers File" folder and offers to restart servedat so any changes can take effect.  To install or change svpasswd, copy it to /etc/ as root or using sudo.  After installing changes to svpasswd, servedat will automatically reload the file in about one minute, unless you have changed the AuthReload option in servedat.cf.  The best practice is to keep canonical copies of servedat.cf and svpasswd someplace safe.  When you want to make changes, copy the modified files to /etc/ as root or using sudo.

If you need help, select and copy the entire output of all installation attempts and the servedat.log file, and email them to support@dataexpedition.com along with your questions.  Tech Note 0012 contains tips and troubleshooting advice for the most common problems.

Server Command Line

Alternatively, the server can be run directly from the command line for scripting, embedding, or testing purposes.  From a shell, type the servedat path followed by the path of the folder you wish to server.  For Example:

/home/user/SyncDat/Server\ Files/servedat /mnt/Media/Outgoing

servedat only supports running one process at a time.  If you receive a "port already in use" error, then it is already running as either a daemon or another command-line instance.  Likewise, running servedat on the command-line will prevent the ServeDat daemon from launching.

When run as a non-root user with no authentication options specified, clients will not be allowed to specify usernames and may access only the contents of the specified folder.

Client Installation

The syncdat client is fully self-contained: no installer program is required.  Typically you would copy syncdat to /usr/local/bin and ensure that this path is in your user PATH environment variable.

If you will be using a purchased version of syncdat in a scripted or restricted environment, you should register its license code to ensure smooth operation.  Run "sudo syncdat -R" or otherwise run "syncdat -R" as root and enter its license code.

Installation Components

Server related files are found in the "Server Files" folder of the distribution package.  The contents may vary slightly for some platforms.

servedat	The server executable.
install-servedat.sh	Run to install the SyncDat server as a system daemon, and optionally install servedat.cf.  For non-trial software, have your license code ready.
servedat.cf	This file is used to customize the server.  See the Configuration File section for step-by-step instructions.
svpasswd	A sample user database file for private authentication, also known as an AuthFile.  See the Adding Users section for step-by-step instructions.
mtping	A diagnostic utility for testing and monitoring servedat.
install-mtping.sh	Run to install mtping in /usr/local/bin.
mkpasswd	A password hash generator for securely storing passwords in svpasswd.
servedat.rc	An initialization script for use on systems requiring /etc/rc.d or /etc/rc.local.
servedat.service	A systemd configuration file for Linux systems which support systemd.
uninstall-servedat.sh	Run to shutdown and remove the server system daemon.

Client related files are found in the "Client Files" sub-folder.

syncdat	The command line client.  You may copy syncdat to any location convenient for executables.
install-syncdat.sh	Run to install the command line client in /usr/local/bin, and optionally install syncdat.cf in /etc/.
syncdat.cf	A sample configuration file for syncdat.  This may be useful for remembering frequently used options.