Cloud Synchronization is done through a Cloud Session, which allows you to synchronize data involving two to five clients, local or remote.
Cloud Session, Session Members and Security
A Cloud Session is identified by a Session ID and a Session Password.
A Cloud Session includes up to 5 ByteSync clients called Session Members.
Each Session Member is assigned a letter of the alphabet, from A to E, chronologically based on when they joined the session. The letter A is assigned to the first member. The letter B will be assigned to the second member when he or she joins the session. The letter C shall be assigned to the third member, and so on until a possible fifth member is assigned the letter E. When a Session Member leaves the session, the letters are reassigned among the next possible members so that there are no missing letters.
The first Session Member, the one assigned the letter A, leads the Cloud Session. Only this member can set the Session Settings, start the Data Inventory, start the Data Synchronization, or restart the session.
Upon instantiation of the Cloud Session, a secure end-to-end encryption channel (E2EE), dedicated to the session and based on the AES-256 encryption algorithm, is created. It will be used for all exchanges between Session Members, whether transferring control data or synchronizing data.
The Cloud Session authentication process, which includes the exchange of credentials, takes place between the Session Members and the client-applicant who wishes to join the session. It relies entirely on an RSA encryption channel dedicated to the client-candidate.
The Session Password is generated by the session creator. It is not known by the server, and is not interceptable by a third party. Only users who have the Session ID and Session Password can connect to the Session Cloud and join its dedicated end-to-end encryption channel.
Initial Cloud Synchronization page
The Cloud Synchronization page initially looks like this:
Click [START CLOUD SESSION] (A.1) to create a new Cloud Session. The server creates a new session and the session details are displayed.
Click [JOIN CLOUD SESSION] (A.2) to join an existing Cloud Session. For more information, see Joining a Cloud Session.
Click [CANCEL] (A.3) to return to the Home Page.
Cloud Session details
Once you have created or joined a Cloud Session, the details of that session are displayed.
Area B.1 contains the details of the Cloud Session. Area B.2 contains the Session Settings.
The Session ID is displayed in the text box C.1. Clicking [Copy] C.2 copies the Session ID to the clipboard.
The Session Password is shown in text box C.3. Clicking [Copy] C.4 copies the Session Password to the clipboard.
You will have to provide the Session ID and Session Password to the other users who want to join the Cloud Session.
Click [EXIT SESSION] C.5 button to exit the Cloud Session. When all Session Members have left the session, the session ends. Depending on the status of the session, you will be asked for confirmation before you can actually leave the session.
Click [RESTART SESSION] C.6 to restart the Cloud Session. Restarting the session resets the session, while keeping the members already present and the data sources already selected.
Only the first Session Member can restart the session.
Joining a Cloud Session
Fill in the Session ID and Session Password provided to you by one of the Session Members of the session you want to join in the D.1 and D.2 input boxes, respectively. Click [JOIN CLOUD SESSION] (D.3) to attempt to join the session. If the Session ID and Session Password you entered are correct, you will join the Cloud Session. If not, you can correct your input and try again.
Once you join a Cloud Session, the session details will be displayed.
If you do not want to join a Cloud Session, you can click [CANCEL] (D.4) to return to the Home page.
Session Members Display
A dedicated display area shows the Session Members, each represented by a block.
The blocks are ordered chronologically by session connection and provide information about the Session Member associated with them.
The block associated with your client has a stronger color and allows you to select the data sources on your machine or local network. It is not possible to select data sources for another client.
- Your Session Member block. It can be identified by its color, which is stronger than that of the other blocks.
- Another Session Member block. Its color is softer than your block.
- Alphabetical letter identifying the Session Member.
- Description of the Session Member. This includes the name of the machine and its public IP address. On your block, this information is preceded by “This computer”.
- Session Member‘s email address. This is the email address of this member’s ByteSync ID.
- [Trash] Button. Clicking this button will remove the selected directory or file (8).
- [Add Directory] button. By clicking this button you have the possibility to select a directory that will be added to (8).
- Directories and files you have selected. They will be analyzed during the Data Inventory. They are managed with (7), (9) and (6).
- [Add File] button. By clicking this button you can select a file that will be added to (8).
- Directories and files selected by another Session Member. They can be edited only by that member.
- Current status of the Session Member.
