Guest Steve W Posted July 23, 2007 Posted July 23, 2007 We use the Offline Sync feature of XP to keep a backup of users 'My Documents' on the server (Windows Server 2003) for backup protection. The problem is that the users must always work off the server when connected and can work off their local hard drive only when disconnected. Many users are in remote offices with desktops and therefore must traverse the WAN - being quite slow and painful (even across T1). Others use VPN; even more painful. Users on the LAN can feel a impact as well. Question - is there a way to redirect the Offline sync feature so that users can always work locally and have the 'offline' folders copied to the server? Thanks! Steve
Guest - Bobb - Posted July 23, 2007 Posted July 23, 2007 Re: Redirection of Offline Sync Behavior "Steve W" <SteveW@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message news:A7DB0AD7-06A4-4B13-B2EC-89531954E6EE@microsoft.com... > We use the Offline Sync feature of XP to keep a backup of users 'My > Documents' on the server (Windows Server 2003) for backup protection. > The > problem is that the users must always work off the server when connected > and > can work off their local hard drive only when disconnected. Many users > are > in remote offices with desktops and therefore must traverse the WAN - > being > quite slow and painful (even across T1). Others use VPN; even more > painful. > Users on the LAN can feel a impact as well. > > Question - is there a way to redirect the Offline sync feature so that > users > can always work locally and have the 'offline' folders copied to the > server? > > Thanks! > Steve Steve, The idea is to sync at logon/logoff. Do the users understand the concept ? Is anyone sharing files, or just folder per user ? When you setup Sync Mgr .... the files that you sync: which path did you specify ? are they the user's LOCAL files or the server's files ? Make it the laptop's path and have it sync at logon/logoff only.. see http://support.microsoft.com/kb/314512/en-us To change nothing : Have them work offline until lunch/end of day , then sync. http://technet2.microsoft.com/windowsserver/en/library/f0fe0826-aade-46cc-9323-22657ebb7c511033.mspx?pf=true Recommended Offline Folder Settings - My Documents: Auto-caching for documents or manual caching for documents (if you want users to have to manually make files and folders available offline).
Guest Steve W Posted July 23, 2007 Posted July 23, 2007 Re: Redirection of Offline Sync Behavior Thanks Bobb, that helped some. > The idea is to sync at logon/logoff. Yes, and this works fine. > Do the users understand the concept ? Yes, they just don't want to work on the server (e.g. 'online') > Is anyone sharing files, or just folder per user ? No, just 'My Documents' only; single user. > When you setup Sync Mgr .... > the files that you sync: which path did you specify ? \\%HOMESHARE%%HOMEPATH% > are they the user's LOCAL files or the server's files ? If 'online' it is the server files, if 'offline' it is the LOCAL files > Make it the laptop's path and have it sync at logon/logoff only.. > see http://support.microsoft.com/kb/314512/en-us sync is set to logon/logoff only > To change nothing : > Have them work offline until lunch/end of day , then sync. This is what we would like to do, while maintaining the existing sync at logon/logoff. How would we go about forcing a folder ('My Documents, pointed to \\%HOMESHARE%%HOMEPATH%) to OFFLINE so that users can work 'locally' while syncing (for backup purposes) back to the network? > http://technet2.microsoft.com/windowsserver/en/library/f0fe0826-aade-46cc-9323-22657ebb7c511033.mspx?pf=true > Recommended Offline Folder Settings - > My Documents: Auto-caching for documents or manual caching for documents > (if you want users to have to manually make files and folders available > offline). Good info, didn't find what I was looking for though. "- Bobb -" wrote: > > "Steve W" <SteveW@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message > news:A7DB0AD7-06A4-4B13-B2EC-89531954E6EE@microsoft.com... > > We use the Offline Sync feature of XP to keep a backup of users 'My > > Documents' on the server (Windows Server 2003) for backup protection. > > The > > problem is that the users must always work off the server when connected > > and > > can work off their local hard drive only when disconnected. Many users > > are > > in remote offices with desktops and therefore must traverse the WAN - > > being > > quite slow and painful (even across T1). Others use VPN; even more > > painful. > > Users on the LAN can feel a impact as well. > > > > Question - is there a way to redirect the Offline sync feature so that > > users > > can always work locally and have the 'offline' folders copied to the > > server? > > > > Thanks! > > Steve > > Steve, > The idea is to sync at logon/logoff. > Do the users understand the concept ? > Is anyone sharing files, or just folder per user ? > When you setup Sync Mgr .... > the files that you sync: which path did you specify ? > are they the user's LOCAL files or the server's files ? > Make it the laptop's path and have it sync at logon/logoff only.. > see http://support.microsoft.com/kb/314512/en-us > To change nothing : > Have them work offline until lunch/end of day , then sync. > http://technet2.microsoft.com/windowsserver/en/library/f0fe0826-aade-46cc-9323-22657ebb7c511033.mspx?pf=true > Recommended Offline Folder Settings - > My Documents: Auto-caching for documents or manual caching for documents > (if you want users to have to manually make files and folders available > offline). > >
Guest - Bobb - Posted July 24, 2007 Posted July 24, 2007 Re: Redirection of Offline Sync Behavior I'll throw out a lot of stuff here , see what works: "Steve W" <SteveW@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message news:2E1C0500-A476-437C-91B3-27391EF1D4EE@microsoft.com... > Thanks Bobb, that helped some. > >> The idea is to sync at logon/logoff. > Yes, and this works fine. >> When you setup Sync Mgr .... >> the files that you sync: which path did you specify ? > \\%HOMESHARE%%HOMEPATH% So on the DESKTOP, if you look at the " My Documents " folder, the directory path is on the SERVER ? That's normal for a domain server and why they're always going to/from the server. Is caching enabled for offline files ? Do they log onto domain daily ? That's normal for security / portability but do you need that ? Could you have the 'normal path' to be their local PC ( C:\Docs...) and the SYNC path to point to the server. Some corporate decisions to be made here. What if no server copy yet and their Pc crashes at 4:55pm ? All their data is lost. Is that acceptable to 'speed things up?". In current config: could they log onto local PC all day. Then log off PCNAME and onto domain only to sync ? Do they shutdown each day ? ( Flushing cache ) Normally , would just compare files and ( since no changes since they went home last night ), server would check - no changes / 'all ok' and proceed. With user account caching enabled, they could turn off their WAN / "work offline" all day - turn it on again. log off/on at lunch/5pm only and have it sync. ( tedious) Is the domain for security or backups ? Is each office autonomous ? Or do the local users need access to corporate network too ? No ? - how about setting up shares/backups between local PC's ? ( see below) The intent of 'Offlines files' is normally laptops/shared files: so that when Mary updates the server copy of the marketing plan in the evening, Bill can get it when he logs on in the morning. If you are NOT sharing, no need to do that. Rather than ' My Documents', for unshared files could you use "My Briefcase" to have it sync to 'their mapped network folder' only at logon/off.? ( again , if only at logon/off, then a PC crash = today's data gone) The rest of the time it is local. If your users understand what / when to 'sync' this could do it for them. For an explanation, on your local XP Pc - go to HELP - then, search for help on "Choosing between using Briefcase or Offline Files" You'll see: " Windows offers tools for working with files that are stored on your main computer or with files that are stored on a network. You should choose the appropriate tool depending on your needs. a.. Briefcase is the best tool if you frequently transfer files between computers using a direct cable connection. Using Briefcase, you can synchronize the files you modified on another computer with their counterparts on your main computer. You can keep your files organized by creating multiple briefcases. b.. Offline Files is the best tool if you want to work with shared files on a network. Using Offline Files, you can make changes to SHARED files while disconnected from the network and synchronize them the next time you are connected to the network. " See: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/307885/en-us and http://support.microsoft.com/kb/307853/en-us While reading, keep in mind the explanations were intended for laptops and desktops. In YOUR case, when you read "portable" it is the DESKTOP (local) PC, and where the text states DESKTOP , you are using a SERVER ( the pc to get updated). Another thought: maybe assign one PC to be the local backup disk farm and copy its data to the home office in the non-peak hours ( mid-afternoon/lunch etc) Fire at night = all data gone locally. At my nephew's biz, (workgroup server) I set up each Pc to also copy its critical files to another Pc every night. So A saves to B, B saves to C etc so that if PC "A" dies / messes up , there is still a copy of last night's original on PC B. No need to even access server to restore/ fetch backup tape etc - just copy from backup folder on pc 'b'. ( disks are really cheap these days) Every week it's overwritten ( Go to weekly backup for that). Make files/ folders hidden. So path now = C:\My Documents... and backed up to another local PC nightly: OK ? That's a lot of stuff to consider - let us know your feedback. Bobb ==================== "Steve W" <SteveW@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message news:2E1C0500-A476-437C-91B3-27391EF1D4EE@microsoft.com... > Thanks Bobb, that helped some. > >> The idea is to sync at logon/logoff. > Yes, and this works fine. > >> Do the users understand the concept ? > Yes, they just don't want to work on the server (e.g. 'online') > >> Is anyone sharing files, or just folder per user ? > No, just 'My Documents' only; single user. > >> When you setup Sync Mgr .... >> the files that you sync: which path did you specify ? > \\%HOMESHARE%%HOMEPATH% > >> are they the user's LOCAL files or the server's files ? > If 'online' it is the server files, if 'offline' it is the LOCAL files > >> Make it the laptop's path and have it sync at logon/logoff only.. >> see http://support.microsoft.com/kb/314512/en-us > sync is set to logon/logoff only > >> To change nothing : >> Have them work offline until lunch/end of day , then sync. > > This is what we would like to do, while maintaining the existing sync at > logon/logoff. How would we go about forcing a folder ('My Documents, > pointed > to \\%HOMESHARE%%HOMEPATH%) to OFFLINE so that users can work 'locally' > while > syncing (for backup purposes) back to the network? > > >> http://technet2.microsoft.com/windowsserver/en/library/f0fe0826-aade-46cc-9323-22657ebb7c511033.mspx?pf=true >> Recommended Offline Folder Settings - >> My Documents: Auto-caching for documents or manual caching for >> documents >> (if you want users to have to manually make files and folders available >> offline). > > Good info, didn't find what I was looking for though. > > > > "- Bobb -" wrote: > >> >> "Steve W" <SteveW@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message >> news:A7DB0AD7-06A4-4B13-B2EC-89531954E6EE@microsoft.com... >> > We use the Offline Sync feature of XP to keep a backup of users 'My >> > Documents' on the server (Windows Server 2003) for backup protection. >> > The >> > problem is that the users must always work off the server when >> > connected >> > and >> > can work off their local hard drive only when disconnected. Many >> > users >> > are >> > in remote offices with desktops and therefore must traverse the WAN - >> > being >> > quite slow and painful (even across T1). Others use VPN; even more >> > painful. >> > Users on the LAN can feel a impact as well. >> > >> > Question - is there a way to redirect the Offline sync feature so >> > that >> > users >> > can always work locally and have the 'offline' folders copied to the >> > server? >> > >> > Thanks! >> > Steve >> >> Steve, >> The idea is to sync at logon/logoff. >> Do the users understand the concept ? >> Is anyone sharing files, or just folder per user ? >> When you setup Sync Mgr .... >> the files that you sync: which path did you specify ? >> are they the user's LOCAL files or the server's files ? >> Make it the laptop's path and have it sync at logon/logoff only.. >> see http://support.microsoft.com/kb/314512/en-us >> To change nothing : >> Have them work offline until lunch/end of day , then sync. >> http://technet2.microsoft.com/windowsserver/en/library/f0fe0826-aade-46cc-9323-22657ebb7c511033.mspx?pf=true >> Recommended Offline Folder Settings - >> My Documents: Auto-caching for documents or manual caching for >> documents >> (if you want users to have to manually make files and folders available >> offline). >> >>
Guest Steve W Posted July 26, 2007 Posted July 26, 2007 Re: Redirection of Offline Sync Behavior Thanks for the great info Bobb. > Could you have the 'normal path' to be their local PC ( C:\Docs...) and > the SYNC path to point to the server. Some corporate decisions to be made > here. What if no server copy yet and their Pc crashes at 4:55pm ? All > their data is lost. Is that acceptable to 'speed things up?". unfortunately, the answer is 'yes'. This is exactly what we're looking to do. The 'normal' process of the shared folder being on the server and syncing to the local drive has worked fine for ther past 5+ years, but due to a few VPN user complaints; a knee-jerk reaction is being dictated to run everything the other way. I've played with SyncToy, which does what we want; but it's a bit clunky. Currently we're looking to go with BackupExec's DLO option, as the company can get a good price on it. Thanks again! Steve "- Bobb -" wrote: > I'll throw out a lot of stuff here , see what works: > > "Steve W" <SteveW@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message > Could you have the 'normal path' to be their local PC ( C:\Docs...) and > the SYNC path to point to the server. Some corporate decisions to be made > here. What if no server copy yet and their Pc crashes at 4:55pm ? All > their data is lost. Is that acceptable to 'speed things up?". In current > config: could they log onto local PC all day. Then log off PCNAME and onto > domain only to sync ? Do they shutdown each day ? ( Flushing cache ) > Normally , would just compare files and ( since no changes since they went > home last night ), server would check - no changes / 'all ok' and proceed. >
Guest - Bobb - Posted July 26, 2007 Posted July 26, 2007 Re: Redirection of Offline Sync Behavior "Steve W" <SteveW@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message news:579312B4-D8F9-4190-9E40-613F9C02815D@microsoft.com... > Thanks for the great info Bobb. > >> Could you have the 'normal path' to be their local PC ( C:\Docs...) >> and >> the SYNC path to point to the server. Some corporate decisions to be >> made >> here. What if no server copy yet and their Pc crashes at 4:55pm ? All >> their data is lost. Is that acceptable to 'speed things up?". > > unfortunately, the answer is 'yes'. This is exactly what we're looking > to > do. The 'normal' process of the shared folder being on the server and > syncing to the local drive has worked fine for ther past 5+ years, but > due to > a few VPN user complaints; a knee-jerk reaction is being dictated to run > everything the other way. > If really only the VPN users putting up the stink ... do they have cached domain accounts on their laptops/desktops ? Perhaps suggest to your manager that 1. they log onto domain - fetch mail. 2. Log off the domain - do 'their thing', use public internet etc, then 3. Log back on to sync offline folders/email again. *** Another thing to ponder/consider/suggest to your boss ... IS it the user/server folder interaction that's slow OR does the server check security / PUSH updates etc as they log on ? I do NOT recommend this ( from corp security standpoint), BUT what if these few remote users log on in cached mode, THEN VPN. They now have access to corporate files/folders, yet they have not really ' logged onto server', so no push/bottleneck at logon. If you do that I'd set cache to only allow it a few times ( 5, 10) so that they don't do it all the time and never get updated virus/security push. I've had salesreps that did it that way all the time. Of course I told them - if your laptop dies your data is gone. Biggest corporate issue there is letting a perhaps virus-ridden pc onto the network so would need to check each pc on network to have recent Virus database update. If definitions older than ... 1 month - log it off. I'd check with http://www.symantec.com/enterprise/support or whoever you use for security for a script. Bobb
Recommended Posts