Introduction
Diskless Remote Boot in Linux (DRBL) Live provides a lightweight, network-bootable environment ideal for classrooms, labs or thin-client setups. Integrating cloud storage with a command-line interface (CLI) in a DRBL Live session allows centralized data access, backup and synchronization without installing heavy GUI clients on each client machine. Below is a professional guide to the best cloud storage services offering native or community-supported CLI tools, step-by-step usage examples and troubleshooting tips.
Top Recommended Services
Comparison Table
| Service | Website | CLI Tool | Client Type | Encryption | Free Storage | Paid Plans From |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| pCloud | pcloud.com | pcloudcc | FUSE, Sync | Client-side (optional) | 10 GB | €3.99/month |
| MEGA | mega.nz | megacmd | Sync, Shell | End-to-end | 20 GB | €4.99/month |
| Proton Drive | proton.me/drive | proton-drive-cli | Shell | End-to-end | 1 GB | €4.29/month |
| Filen | filen.io | filen-cli | Shell | End-to-end | 10 GB | 5.99/month |
| Tresorit | tresorit.com | — | GUI only / use rclone | End-to-end | — | €12.50/user/month |
| Icedrive | icedrive.net | icedrive-cli | FUSE, Shell | Client-side | 10 GB | 4.99/month |
| Dropbox | dropbox.com | dropbox | Daemon, Shell | Transport TLS only | 2 GB | 9.99/month |
Which One to Choose?
- For strongest encryption: MEGA or Proton Drive (end-to-end by default).
- For large free tier: MEGA (20 GB) or pCloud (10 GB bonuses).
- For FUSE mount on DRBL Live: pCloud, Icedrive or MEGA (all provide stable FUSE).
- For corporate compliance: Tresorit (although requires rclone workaround).
- For lightweight sync-only needs: Filen or Proton Drive CLI.
- For broadest community support: Dropbox CLI (ubiquitous).
How to Use Each with CLI
1. pCloud
Install the pcloudcc client and mount your drive via FUSE.
# Debian/Ubuntu sudo apt update sudo apt install pcloudcc # Authenticate and mount pcloudcc --username your@email.com --password YourPcloudPass # By default mounts at ~/pcloud ls ~/pcloud
Typical problems: missing FUSE support (install fuse), stale mount after network drop (re-run pcloudcc).
2. MEGA
Use megacmd for a full shell, sync or direct commands.
# Debian/Ubuntu sudo apt update sudo apt install megacmd # Login mega-login your@email.com MegaPass123 # List root mega-ls / # Upload a file mega-put myfile.txt /Root # Mount as FUSE mega-sync /local/dir /Root
Typical problems: API timeouts under heavy load (mega-cmd-server restart helps), version mismatches with DRBL Live kernel.
3. Proton Drive
The CLI is in beta install via pip.
sudo apt install python3-pip pip3 install proton-drive-cli # Login export PROTON_USERNAME=you@proton.me export PROTON_PASSWORD=StrongPass! proton-drive login # List and upload proton-drive list / proton-drive upload /local/path.txt /remote/
Typical problems: 2FA required account – run proton-drive login --2fa 123456, dependency conflicts if DRBL Live uses older Python.
4. Filen
Filen provides a straightforward Python-based CLI.
sudo apt install python3-pip pip3 install filen-cli # Login filen login # Upload filen upload mydoc.pdf /MyFolder/ # Download filen download /MyFolder/mydoc.pdf .
Typical problems: interactive login fails in non-interactive shell (use filen login --username X --password Y).
5. Tresorit (via rclone)
Tresorit lacks official CLI best integrated with rclone via SFTP bridge.
# Install rclone sudo apt update sudo apt install rclone # Add Tresorit remote (example) rclone config create tresorit sftp host=app.tresorit.com user=you@domain.com port=22 key_file=/home/user/.ssh/id_rsa # List rclone ls tresorit: # Mount rclone mount tresorit: ~/tresor_mount
Typical problems: SFTP reading limits, extra latency ensure your key is authorized by Tresorit API service.
6. Icedrive
Use the official icedrive-cli for FUSE and shell commands.
# Snap-based install sudo snap install icedrive-cli # Login icedrive login --username you@domain.com --password MyPass # Mount icedrive mount ~/icedrive # List files icedrive ls /
Typical problems: snap confinement – use classic snap or install as AppImage stale mounts on DRBL Live reboot.
7. Dropbox
The Dropbox daemon and CLI manage sync and status.
# Debian/Ubuntu sudo apt update sudo apt install python3-gpg dropbox # Start daemon and link account dropbox start -i # Use CLI dropbox status dropbox filestatus ~/Dropbox/myfile.txt
Typical problems: initial OAuth requires GUI browser – use headless auth link on another machine, then copy-paste token.
Conclusion
For DRBL Live environments, pCloud and MEGA stand out due to stable FUSE mounts and generous free tiers. Proton Drive and Filen are excellent for security-minded deployments with end-to-end encryption. Icedrive and Dropbox fill niches for lightweight sync or universal support, while Tresorit can be integrated via rclone for corporate compliance. Choose based on your encryption policy, free-tier needs and ease of CLI integration. Always test mounts in your DRBL Live session and keep a local fallback for mission-critical data.
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