Managing Files, Folders, and Search Methods
It is important to understand how synchronization works between the locally cached version and the network resource version of a file. There are several ways to initiate synchronization, and, depending on the method you choose and the options you've enabled, either a full or quick synchronization of the files occurs.
When full synchronization occurs, the most current version of every cached network file is cached to the local drive. A quick synchronization is faster, but might not provide the most current version of every network file that has been made available offline. However, a quick synchronization does ensure that a complete version of every file is available.
There are several options that control how files are synchronized when the network resource becomes available. You can choose to synchronize:
Automatically at logon.
Automatically at logoff.
Manually at any time.
When the computer is idle for a specified amount of time.
Automatically at specified times.
To configure synchronization
Click Start , point to Programs , point to Accessories , and then click Synchronize .
Click Setup .
Use the Logon/Logoff , On Idle , and Scheduled tabs to configure options.
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Note
Synchronization works only for the user who is currently logged on.
You can also start synchronization from Windows Explorer by clicking the Tools menu and then clicking Synchronize .
In order for synchronization to work, the network resources must be online or available for reconnection. Depending on how the synchronization is executed, offline changes might or might not be sent to the network resource and new versions of cached files might or might not be downloaded. In cases where a quick or partial synchronization occurs, data is copied from the network only to ensure availability while offline. When a full synchronization occurs, newer versions of files on the network are located and cached. Table 9.7 describes what kind of synchronization occurs when each method is used.
Table 9.7 Description of Synchronization Options and How Files are Cached
Synchronization commands and options |
Send offline changes to the network resource? |
Receive cached files from the network resource? |
|---|---|---|
Automatically synchronize the selected items when I log on to my computer |
Yes |
No |
Synchronize all offline files before logging off is enabled |
Yes |
Fully |
Synchronize all offline files before logging off is disabled |
No |
Partially |
Synchronize the selected items while my computer is idle |
Yes |
Partially |
Scheduled |
Yes |
Fully |
Clicking Synchronize from the Start menu or on the Tools menu |
Yes |
Fully |
Clicking Synchronize on the File menu |
Yes |
Fully |
Clicking Make Available Offline on the File menu |
No |
Partially |
From the Offline Files icon in the Status area of the task bar |
Yes |
No |
If the network resource version of a file and the locally cached version of the file are different, you can choose one of the following options in the Resolve file conflicts dialog box.
Keep both versions. Saves the version on my computer to the network as < filename >( username v X ).doc, where filename is the name of the file, username is my user name, and X is the version number.
Keep only the version on my computer . Replaces the network version.
Keep only the network version. Replaces the version on my computer.
You are given the option to view each individual file. The date and time the files were saved is provided.