rclone/docs/content/remote_setup.md
Ole Frost beea4d5119 lib/oauthutil: Improved usability of config flows needing web browser
The config question "Use auto config?" confused many users and lead to
recurring forum posts from users that were unaware that they were using
a remote or headless machine.

This commit makes the question and possible options more descriptive
and precise.

This commit also adds references to the guide on remote setup in the
documentation of backends using oauth as primary authentication.
2022-12-09 14:41:05 +00:00

117 lines
3.2 KiB
Markdown

---
title: "Remote Setup"
description: "Configuring rclone up on a remote / headless machine"
---
# Configuring rclone on a remote / headless machine #
Some of the configurations (those involving oauth2) require an
Internet connected web browser.
If you are trying to set rclone up on a remote or headless box with no
browser available on it (e.g. a NAS or a server in a datacenter) then
you will need to use an alternative means of configuration. There are
two ways of doing it, described below.
## Configuring using rclone authorize ##
On the headless box run `rclone` config but answer `N` to the `Use web browser
to automatically authenticate?` question.
```
...
Remote config
Use web browser to automatically authenticate rclone with remote?
* Say Y if the machine running rclone has a web browser you can use
* Say N if running rclone on a (remote) machine without web browser access
If not sure try Y. If Y failed, try N.
y) Yes (default)
n) No
y/n> n
For this to work, you will need rclone available on a machine that has
a web browser available.
For more help and alternate methods see: https://rclone.org/remote_setup/
Execute the following on the machine with the web browser (same rclone
version recommended):
rclone authorize "amazon cloud drive"
Then paste the result below:
result>
```
Then on your main desktop machine
```
rclone authorize "amazon cloud drive"
If your browser doesn't open automatically go to the following link: http://127.0.0.1:53682/auth
Log in and authorize rclone for access
Waiting for code...
Got code
Paste the following into your remote machine --->
SECRET_TOKEN
<---End paste
```
Then back to the headless box, paste in the code
```
result> SECRET_TOKEN
--------------------
[acd12]
client_id =
client_secret =
token = SECRET_TOKEN
--------------------
y) Yes this is OK
e) Edit this remote
d) Delete this remote
y/e/d>
```
## Configuring by copying the config file ##
Rclone stores all of its config in a single configuration file. This
can easily be copied to configure a remote rclone.
So first configure rclone on your desktop machine with
rclone config
to set up the config file.
Find the config file by running `rclone config file`, for example
```
$ rclone config file
Configuration file is stored at:
/home/user/.rclone.conf
```
Now transfer it to the remote box (scp, cut paste, ftp, sftp, etc.) and
place it in the correct place (use `rclone config file` on the remote
box to find out where).
## Configuring using SSH Tunnel ##
Linux and MacOS users can utilize SSH Tunnel to redirect the headless box port 53682 to local machine by using the following command:
```
ssh -L localhost:53682:localhost:53682 username@remote_server
```
Then on the headless box run `rclone` config and answer `Y` to the `Use web
browser to automatically authenticate?` question.
```
...
Remote config
Use web browser to automatically authenticate rclone with remote?
* Say Y if the machine running rclone has a web browser you can use
* Say N if running rclone on a (remote) machine without web browser access
If not sure try Y. If Y failed, try N.
y) Yes (default)
n) No
y/n> y
```
Then copy and paste the auth url `http://127.0.0.1:53682/auth?state=xxxxxxxxxxxx` to the browser on your local machine, complete the auth and it is done.