Recommendations for Configuring Mobile Users Computers

  • Article

Applies To: Windows Server 2003, Windows Server 2003 R2, Windows Server 2003 with SP1, Windows Server 2003 with SP2

Typically, a mobile user works offsite, connects to the corporate network over a slow link from various locations, and occasionally connects to the network by using a fast link. This user also uses a desktop computer at the home office, so it is preferable that the user’s portable computer and desktop computer have the same settings. To provide a consistent user experience, follow the guidelines in this section for configuring user profiles.

When configuring multiple mobile users, set up an OU for mobile computers and apply the same settings to all users in that OU.

User Profile

The following suggestions can guide you in planning user profile configurations for mobile users:

  • If the users regularly connect to the network by using a fast link, and you want to back up their state or if they use multiple computers, use a roaming user profile.

  • If the users rarely connect by a fast link, use a local profile.

  • If users roam to LAN-connected computers in the domain and also have portable computers, use a roaming user profile. For portable computers, enable the Only allow local user profiles policy setting which is available in the Computer Configuration\Administrative Templates\System\User Profiles node of the Group Policy Object Editor. Note that a Computer Configuration Group Policy setting takes precedence over a User Configuration setting, so the user receives the user setting on a desktop computer and the computer setting on the portable computer.

Roaming User Profiles

By default, roaming user profiles do not roam over slow links. It is recommended that you configure roaming user profiles only for mobile users that log on frequently over a fast link, so that their profiles are saved to the server. This provides backup of the user state. However, if the user never logs on to the network over a fast link, or does so infrequently, it is not useful to provide roaming user profiles for that user.

If mobile users frequently connect at high speed, Folder Redirection and Offline Files are beneficial for backup and synchronization. By default, Folder Redirection and Offline Files are not applied over slow links. You can override the default by using the Group Policy Slow Link Detection policy setting. This setting is in the User Configuration\Administrative Templates\System\Group Policy node of the Group Policy Object Editor.

Important

  • If you change the default setting for Group Policy slow-link detection, all group policies are affected, and all Group Policy settings are applied over a slow link, including policies that install software. This is not appropriate for most users.