WD MY CLOUD first generation sync on Linux

The WD My Cloud (First Gen) is a popular home NAS (Network Attached Storage) device that allows centralized file storage and access across multiple devices. While Western Digital's official support is focused on Windows and macOS, Linux users can still access and sync files to and from the My Cloud using native Linux tools and protocols like SMB, NFS, and rsync.

Here’s how to do it efficiently and reliably.

1. Understanding Compatibility

The first-gen WD My Cloud supports:

SMB/CIFS (Samba)

NFS (Network File System)

FTP

DLNA/UPnP

SSH (for advanced access)

These standard protocols make it accessible from virtually any Linux distribution, even though there’s no official Linux app.

2. Mounting the WD My Cloud on Linux

a. SMB Mounting (Recommended)

Most Linux systems (like Ubuntu, Fedora, etc.) come with CIFS/SMB support:

Install cifs-utils if not already installed:

Create a mount point:

Mount the share:

Replace  with your My Cloud's IP address. Use your credentials if connecting to a private share.

b. NFS Mounting (Alternative)

If NFS is enabled on the My Cloud:

sudo apt install nfs-common

3. Using Rsync for Syncing

Once the share is mounted, you can use rsync for efficient file syncing:

rsync -avh /home/user/Documents/ /mnt/mycloud/Backup/

This syncs the local Documents folder to the My Cloud Backup directory.

To do a two-way sync, you can use tools like FreeFileSync or Syncthing (open source and Linux-friendly).

4. Automating Mount at Boot

To make the mount permanent:

Or use credentials:

5. Accessing via SSH (Advanced Users)

First-gen WD My Cloud allows SSH if enabled via the web interface. SSH gives root access to the Linux OS on the NAS, allowing for advanced control, scripting, and troubleshooting.

Warning: Misuse can brick your device.

Password is set from the web interface under Settings > Network > SSH.

6. Other Sync Tools

You can also use GUI tools like:

rsync GUI wrappers (Grsync)

Syncthing – Decentralized and secure

Nextcloud/ownCloud – If you want full cloud-style syncing, though it requires more setup

Conclusion

While the WD My Cloud (First Gen) doesn’t offer a native Linux app, it fully supports standard network protocols. With tools like SMB, NFS, and rsync, Linux users can effectively mount, access, and sync their files. Whether you're scripting automated backups or simply accessing a share, Linux plays well with WD My Cloud—as long as the network and permissions are configured correctly.