syncing a Dropbox to a linux server?

Question

I have a hosted website with linux shell access.

How can I set it up such that it can automatically sync from a Dropbox account?

There seems to be some challenges with Dropbox server application, since I have not seen it by default in any servers of some institutions. I do not understand why. They are also reluctant in providing the applications mentioned below. Do you understand reasons behind such desicions? — Léo Léopold Hertz 준영, Oct 21 '15 at 12:38

score 6 · Answer 1 · edited Mar 10 '13 at 08:17

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Unfortunately the above link posted by @reefnet_alex is no longer accessible. The new Dropbox Linux client works perfectly on headless / UI-less machines, though.

https://www.dropbox.com/install?os=lnx

There is step-by-step post here: http://www.dropboxwiki.com/Text_Based_Linux_Install

edited Mar 10 '13 at 08:17

Tom O'Connor

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answered May 03 '12 at 00:23

rossp

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score 4 · Answer 2 · edited Mar 10 '13 at 08:16

Is this what you're looking for?

http://www.dropboxwiki.com/Text_Based_Linux_Install

I run Dropbox in KDE, so I was aware there's no need for the Gnome dependencies, and this article covers installing Dropbox on a text based linux install. This would be an excellent way to allow a client (in the person sense not the software sense) to upload files to a server without footering around with FTP or the like (how many clients actually get FTP?!). Throw it in your Dropbox folder, there it is on the server. Bish bash bosh...

score 1 · Answer 3 · answered Oct 18 '09 at 05:23

First question would be does your hosting company actually allow you to operate a long running userland daemon? Dropbox consists of a proprietary userland daemon and an open-source client. If your hosting account can't run the daemon then it will have problems remaining in sync.

The second problem arises in that the existing released Dropbox client for Linux is a module addition to Nautilus the graphical file manager. There is an API, unsure as to the stability of documentation on said API, that will allow open-source clients to be developed that can communicate with Dropbox accounts. At this time I am unaware of any that would work from a hosted shell account.

Updated to say I found this mention of experimental instructions for a text-based only install which may be usable for this situation but haven't tested myself.

score 0 · Answer 4 · answered Oct 18 '09 at 02:30

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There is a Linux Dropbox client, which I believe can run in userland. Why not use that?

answered Oct 18 '09 at 02:30

Kyle Smith

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I believe the problem is that the existing Linux Dropbox client is a module for Nautilus which won't do much good for a shell account. – Jeremy Bouse Oct 18 '09 at 05:17

syncing a Dropbox to a linux server?

4 Answers4