NFS vs KDE Connect

LuigiCalamar · 12 August 2024 16:37

I

I just setup NFS so I can easily copy files from my Manjaro Laptop to my Ubuntu Plex Server.

Though I was wondering - could/should I have just used KDE Connect instead?

Any pros/cons to either - how about speed (wireless network only on each device)

BG405 · 12 August 2024 18:39

I haven’t used NFS myself (yet) but it migh be more reliable than KDE Connect; I’ve had issues where machines don’t “see” the others properly from time to time, for example.

Speed-wise I don’t think there will be much in it. Only way to find out is by sending the same file(s) several times with each connection method.

AlexBoldt · 12 August 2024 19:20

afaik KDE Connect is a complete different use-case.
It’s for sharing, control, etc. with other devices like your phone.
It’s not for sharing storage devices of networks…

I use SFTP for sharing files with my NAS.

BG405 · 12 August 2024 19:45

The OP just wants to copy files to the server, which is generally fine and I’ve found it pretty quick.

It’s also handy in my case to get the notification pop up on the target machine. No idea how an Ubuntu Plex Server handles that sort of thing though.

Kobold · 12 August 2024 20:04

I use Warpinator to transfer files between my PC & Laptop…
I love how easy everything works.

But no idea if this works with a Ubuntu Plex Server.

leledumbo · 13 August 2024 10:19

KDE Connect covers a lot more use cases, but still works over wi-fi networks.

The difference is that for devices to be able to communicate, KDE Connect requires to run on all, while NFS usually has built-in support without additional apps.

Speed in general will be bottlenecked by your router, AFAIK neither implements stream compression.

linux-aarhus · 13 August 2024 10:37

No. KDE Connect is another use case - and not very stable.

Using NFS is a native *nix communication protocol and it is as fast or slow as any other fileservice depending on the network and server’s hardware and the configuration.

Every filesharing method as pro’s and con’s and requires different levels of knowledge when it comes to setting it up and securing the service.

LuigiCalamar · 13 August 2024 19:17

I currently use KDE Connect between 3 laptops and 4 devices (3 android, 1 ios). For the most part it works ok.

But - yes - they often ‘disconnect’ and I have to repair them.

For my plex server - that wouldn’t work as I don’t have it on a display …

Outside that - sending files/clipboard, etal - works very well with KDE - big fan.

However - now that NFS is working for me - I’m good

Molski · 15 August 2024 21:09

I know KDE Connect file transferring is horrid, so I looked to see how they send it.

github.com

GSConnect/gnome-shell-extension-gsconnect/blob/main/src/service/plugins/sftp.js

// SPDX-FileCopyrightText: GSConnect Developers https://github.com/GSConnect
//
// SPDX-License-Identifier: GPL-2.0-or-later

import Gio from 'gi://Gio';
import GLib from 'gi://GLib';
import GObject from 'gi://GObject';

import Config from '../../config.js';
import Plugin from '../plugin.js';


export const Metadata = {
    label: _('SFTP'),
    id: 'org.gnome.Shell.Extensions.GSConnect.Plugin.SFTP',
    description: _('Browse the paired device filesystem'),
    incomingCapabilities: ['kdeconnect.sftp'],
    outgoingCapabilities: ['kdeconnect.sftp.request'],
    actions: {
        mount: {

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It uses SFTP, not to be confused with FTPS. This is the protocol scp uses, for transferring files over SSH. ()

On my network, NFS is over 25x faster. And provides the functionality as if it’s local. There is no contention on which one is better.

LuigiCalamar · 15 August 2024 22:19

Great information - thanks!