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Bill C.42's avatar
Bill C.42
Explorer | Level 4
2 years ago

Transferring large video files over cellular data, not sending data twice, due to cell drops

I need to keep large video files (2-5 gb) sync'd between a stationary hard wired machine and a mobile laptop that is often roaming on very expensive international cellular data.  I need the files downloaded, and willing to pay for the data to send it,  but I cannot use something that would restart from scratch if the signal drops just prior to finishing that file upload.  I tried asking support and they didn't seem to understand.    Currently I use Idrive Sync and it resends all the data again if there is a signal drop. 

 

What does dropbox do if the signal drops just before it finishes a 5 gb upload? Does it send that same 5 gb again?  

 

Thanks, Bill

Desktop
Sync
  • Mark's avatar
    Mark
    2 years ago

    Hi Bill C.42 

     

    As Hannah said it will continue sync'ing from where the connection dropped (to the nearest 4mb). Thats how the desktop client works.

  • Hannah's avatar
    Hannah
    Icon for Dropbox Staff rankDropbox Staff
    2 years ago

    Hey Bill C.42, thanks for posting to the Dropbox Community today!

     

    You should be able to accomplish what you want, using the Dropbox desktop application.

     

    Even if a computer gets disconnected, syncing will just stop and then resume from where it stopped, when the computer is connected again.

     

    It won't sync the files again from scratch.

     

    You can read more about the application here.

     

    If you have any questions, let me know.

    • Bill C.42's avatar
      Bill C.42
      Explorer | Level 4
      2 years ago

      Thanks, Hannah,   Maybe you added the wrong link?  That page didn't have any useful detail about the app or how it sync'd.  -Bill

      • Hannah's avatar
        Hannah
        Icon for Dropbox Staff rankDropbox Staff
        2 years ago

        Hey Bill!

         

        The article contains info on what the Dropbox application is and how to install it.

         

        Do you need any other info or have other questions?

    • Bill C.42's avatar
      Bill C.42
      Explorer | Level 4
      2 years ago

      I reread your response.   I think I need to be a bit clearer.    I under stand the files already there won't resync if the cell service drops.  My concern is if a large 4GB  file has already uploaded 90% of the file over the connection, and the connection drops, how does it handle that file?  Does it just upload the last 10% of the file after it reconnects, not reusing that expensive data, or will it have to upload the 4 GB all over again?   I cannot find anything documented about how the data transfer occurs.  I would have thought there would be a whitepaper with details.  -Bill  

      • Mark's avatar
        Mark
        Icon for Super User II rankSuper User II
        2 years ago

        Hi Bill C.42 

         

        As Hannah said it will continue sync'ing from where the connection dropped (to the nearest 4mb). Thats how the desktop client works.

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