Can't sync Anytype in local-only mode

User Support
,
1

Devices

Desktop (Qubes OS 4.2.4)

  • appVM with Anytype (vault with data)
  • sys-firewall
  • sys-net (wireless connection to the router)

Router

Smartphone

  • Anytype (empty; I scan the QR code here to pair with the vault from the desktop, download data, and sync it later)

Both Anytype apps use local-only mode for syncing (P2P over local network).

Problem localization

I can sync Anytype in local-only mode on another OS on my desktop, so the problem lies with Qubes OS.

Guesses

Looks like any-sync uses mDNS to find another peers (Iā€™m not sure). And thereā€™s something with mDNS in Qubes OS (according to topics from this forum). However, Iā€™m afraid that all solutions described here wonā€™t work for me (itā€™s mainly about finding printers from sys-net).

In total, thereā€™s something with the firewall or between AppVMs.

Request

Has anyone tried syncing Anytype on Qubes OS in local-only mode?

How can I solve my problem?

Thanks

2

In general it should be possible to use mDNS with Qubes in a qube other than sys-net but itā€™s going to be very difficult and I havenā€™t really managed to do it myself.

This guide by @solene could come in handy, though:

3

I havenā€™t been able to get mdns to work outside sys-net, I think I found someoneā€™s snippet to make it work for Qubes os, but I forgot where and didnā€™t try it :disappointed:. I have some hints where to find it though, Iā€™ll come back with the link if I can figure where I found it.

4

There is a comment in the script in this PR that mentions converting broadcast packets to unicast to make forwarding work. Didnā€™t try if it works.

1 Like
5

Oh, @Atrate, @solene, thanks for the quick reply.

It looks like opening port 5353 will allow Mobile Anytype to find Desktop Anytype.

You knowā€¦ I have a feeling youā€™re talking about more steps than just running the script for 5353 and trying to sync again :slight_smile:

Anyway, I wouldnā€™t bother you with every little thing.

Thanks, Iā€™ll try that later.

6

Thatā€™s really only what you need if you are fine with running the software in sys-usb :slight_smile:

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7

I did it!

  1. I copied nat.sh by Solene. Thanks that itā€™s short and I can quickly review it.

qvm-run --pass-io source-vm 'cat /path/to/file/in/source/vm' > /path/to/file/in/dom0

  1. I run
    ./nat.sh anytypeAppVM 5353 udp
    in dom0.

  2. I logged in Anytype on my smartphone. (Both devices are connected to the same local network of course.)

The synchronization does not occur when I use Wi-Fi Hotspot from the smartphone, though. It doesnā€™t matter now, so the problem is solved.

I was surprised when it worked immediately after I entered the script. It usually takes a few days to find a solution in Qubes OS casesā€¦

:fireworks:

2 Likes