Yes, I have read the manual and I have searched the forum. If I could have found the answer I would not be posting here.
So, I am using a Mac-mini (at home office) as host with 2 TB of data on an external SSD. I am using DTTG syncing with DB and it works fine on iPad. I am, however, primarily wanting to use a MBP for when I am out in the field or at the office (not home office) and have access to all of my documents that are indexed in the database. When I go to open a document when away from home office, I get the “mount volume to access file” message. The icon shows that it is synced but not downloaded. I realize that I could import the documents to the MBP but I only have a 512 GB hard drive. What would you all suggest to where I have complete access to data when away from home office? Webdav? Carry around an encrypted external SSD with all the data (something that I really do not want to do)? Trying to avoid having to buy another MBP with $2K worth of apple SSD storage.
FYI there is no need for hardware encryption. You can format any external SSD as APFS (Encrypted), which uses AES-128; chances are you have already done this on your existing external SSD. File system-level encryption is more user-friendly and perhaps more trustworthy than hardware encryption offered by the PSSD manufacturer.
So, you index documents from somewhere into a DT database on your macMini. And they are on an external drive (I assume that, though you didn’t say it explicitly). On your Mini, that drive is mounted somewhere below /Volume, lets say /Volume/myDTdata
Now, you’re on your MBP. It sees the DT database, and that contains indexed items on /Volume/myDTdata. But that volume is not connected to your MBP.
Even so, there are sync settings to limit the amount of data downloaded.
I don’t know what others would suggest, much less “all”. But I’d go for importing instead of indexing. Or, if that’s really causing a problem with space, bring your external disk with you (given the weight and size of these things today, I don’t see the problem with that).
In the past, there were possibilities to upgrade a MBP with a new disk. I did it once to get from 512MB to 1TB.
Thank you for the response. Actually, the first line of the post states that the data is on an external SSD connected to the MacMini. And I understand that I can import the data but, again, with that much data it would not fit on the MBP hard drive.
How much is “that much” – do you really index 2TB in a single database? And do you have to keep all your data in that single database all the time? Or would it be possible to have one database with data that you import and can thus have available on your MBP?
There are some possibilities to work around the issue. Some have been mentioned here already. You’ll find others here in the forum.
Your situation is 100% logical and expected. If you are indexing from an external drive in your home, and you leave the house and network, you wouldn’t have access to the external drive. No drive access = no drive mounted = pending files that can’t be opened or viewed, with the message you mentioned.
Why?
…with all the data…
Why would you need all your data?
I don’t know your database setup but if you have just indexed into one massive database, I’d ask why on that too.
If you have a smaller, active set of data you’re working with, you could create a database just for that. That could even potentially contain imported files.
So, to further explain, I work in criminal defense. I have lots of clients and their case files are often in excess of 500 GB. I have had some cases in which one case was close to 3 TB. So, when I go to the prison/jail to meet with clients and they want to see certain materials, I need to have access to it. When I am at my other office, I need to have access to it. When I am traveling to another city, I need to have access to it. I do not want to have some of the file on my MBP and some of it not. I realize that what I want may not be possible but that is why I am reaching out to the community to see if there is a solution that I have not yet come up with. Thanks again for your reply. And if you have seen someone with the same issue in the forum, please do let me know because I have not been able to find what their solution was to the same issue.
All I can think of is to get a bunch of big Solid State Disks and distribute the DEVONthink databases amongst them where they fit. Or instead of a “bunch” find a huge one or two. SSDs are very small and light. I know you do not want to carry them around, but what is the alternative since you need everything?
I am not a lawyer (nor do I play one on TV ) so I don’t know how you work, but at a glance my first thought is…
I would have an NAS with a large capacity, e.g., 20TB, as an archive/backup.
I would have an 4-8TB external drive dedicated to my active client. I would house the database for my current client and actively work from that drive, taking it when leaving the house. You’d have your database and all the necessary materials at the jail, in court, etc. This drive would be backed up to the NAS on network.
If I had more than one case, I would literally have one drive per-case, simply marked to distinguish which is which. This could be a colored sticker or even different colors of the same brand drive.
That way you’re carrying what you need, not all your data. I see no need to carry everything you have. Your client doesn’t need all your data.
It would be good if you had a redundant NAS at the office so you coulld similarly backup the external drive. Then you’d have access to all your data in both locations and also get a secondary off-site backup.
So, just had a thought. What about utilizing the SDXC on the MBP for storing up to 2 TB of data, keeping the databases on the MBP local drive and backing up to Time Machine and syncing to the Mac mini? Would I then still not be able to access the files on the Mac-mini *they would then be on the same network) since the data is on the SDXC. If not, possible to keep a copy of the data on both the SDXC and another copy on the Mac mini and the two of them sync so if I change data on one it would change on the other?
@rmschne is correct on his comments about SD cards. They aren’t intended for actively working with. (Did you ever wonder why professional photographers offload their SD cards to external drives?)
Would I then still not be able to access the files on the Mac-mini (they would then be on the same network) since the data is on the SDXC.
The Mini would only be able to access the SD card if you mounted the MacBook Pro, then the SD card. You’re adding overhead and more connections than is efficient in that scenario.
I am not trying to sell NASes but having a file server would be a more optimal solution since the Mini and MacBook could both access it directly. And having a redundant setup at both locations gives a more reliable backup situation.
And I’m not sure the hesitance to have a portable hard drive with you. They are small, light, affordable, and could resolve your issue quite nicely. In fact, the only caveat is I would make sure to have two good USB-C cables built for maximum throughput, not a $10 cable from Walmart. (and yes, one is a backup cable).
+1 for Jim. SD cards in general are not for your type of use. And, even in photography, best practice is to later format the cards (in the camera!) every single time you download all images to your computer. On my cameras, it is quite common to get “memory card errors”. Then I have to pop it out, reformat, pop it in. When I’m out in the field, I take SanDisk, Crucial, etc, SSDs.
) so I don’t know how you work, but at a glance my first thought is…