Off line Files and Sychronising

[Rhys Morgan]

Hi all

I have a query regarding the above as my company just
implemented a sychronising policy to allow the users files
to be used off line, and then re-directed the my docs
folder to the users folder on the server!!

Doesn't this mean that the re-directed folder is simply a
mapped drive and thus makes the sychronising redundant
unless the server goes down?!

Also, is there a way to be able to sychronise and use
those off line files instead of linking to the server each
time - can the my docs folder be re-directed to the off
line folder instead and if so how?!

Hope this makes sense, any help woudl be grateful!!

Cheers

Rhys

 

[XPUSER]

Hi all

I have a query regarding the above as my company just
implemented a sychronising policy to allow the users files
to be used off line, and then re-directed the my docs
folder to the users folder on the server!!

Doesn't this mean that the re-directed folder is simply a
mapped drive and thus makes the sychronising redundant
unless the server goes down?!

Also, is there a way to be able to sychronise and use
those off line files instead of linking to the server each
time - can the my docs folder be re-directed to the off
line folder instead and if so how?!

Hope this makes sense, any help woudl be grateful!!

Cheers

Rhys

=======================================================

Maybe these articles will help answer your questions (maybe not):
Hopefully someone will respond that has first hand knowledge of the issue.

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=KB;en-us;307853

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;312171&sd=tech

http://www.californiacs.com/resources/howtos/offline_files.htm

========================================================

 

[Chris Knapp]

Doesn't this mean that the re-directed folder is simply a

mapped drive and thus makes the synchronizing redundant
unless the server goes down?!

Yes. That's what its designed for. Its a bit of overhead and for users with
gigabytes of data in their My Doc's folder, it can take some time to sync
initially. On a daily basis, synchronizing only syncs changed files so the
overhead is low. The whole idea is to keep the files on a network device for
backup/redundancy while allowing offline use in the event of a
server/network outage. My company only uses it for laptop users. Note that
PST's & MDB's don't play well with synching. . .

Also, is there a way to be able to synchronize and use
those off line files instead of linking to the server each
time - can the my docs folder be re-directed to the off
line folder instead and if so how?!

No. When you are Online, you will NEVER access the local copies. The offline
files are stored in an encrypted format in a CSC folder on your HD. The are
not accessible except through the use of the offline folders settings. To
even "see" them, you have to unplug your LAN cable so that the system is
working offline. Any changes you then make to your My Doc's folder is noted
by Offline Folders and changes are made to the encrypted copies in the CSC
folder. When you plug your lan cable back in & initiate a sync, the changes
are made to the 'real' files on the server. There is no way to access the
local files directly & independently of Offline Folders.

To get My Doc's back to your C: drive, you have to uncheck the Use Offline
option for your My Doc's folder on the server. This will delete the files in
the CSC folder. You can then move your files locally.

To do the reverse of Offline Folders, (ex. make a copy of your local My
Doc's folder to the server) you will need a backup program (Veritas
Netbackup / DLO, or Iomega AutoBackup, etc.) that automatically replicates
files.

 

[Rhys Morgan]

thanks for you help guys - most informative!!!

Cheers