[1] Preparation

Installing and operating a server is not a casual task. You need to prepare.

Backup Your Data

Let’s reinforce a good habit and make a backup copy of your data first. Here is a very easy way to back up your data:

$ cd ~/.task
$ tar czf task-backup-$(date +'%Y%m%d').tar.gz *

Now move that file somewhere safe. All software contains bugs, so make regular backups.

Choose a Machine

A suitable machine to run your Taskserver is one that is always available. If you have such a machine, or have access to a hosted machine, that is ideal.

If your machine is not continuously available, it can still be a suitable Taskserver because the sync mechanism doesn’t require continuous access. When a client cannot sync, it simply accumulates local, unpropagated changes until it can sync.

A laptop is a poor choice for a Taskserver host.

Choose a Port

By default, Taskserver uses port 53589. You can choose any port you wish, provided it is unused. If you choose a port number that is under 1024, then Taskserver must run as root, which is not recommended.

User/Group

Ideally you will create a new user and group solely to run the Taskserver. This helps you keep the data secure from other users on the machine, as well as controlling the privileges of Taskserver.

Firewall

Depending on what devices you use to access your server, you may need to configure the firewall to allow incoming TCP/IP traffic on your chosen port.