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Offline files synchronization

As mentioned in previous posts, when we mark a network share for offline availability, Offline Files copies the whole share to the local CSC folder. From that moment onwards Offline Files has to take care of the synchronization of the local copies with the network share, so that whenever we disconnect the machine from the network, we will have the latest version of the files available for offline use.

CSC( offline files) synchronizes the files with the server copies at regular intervals of time. During this, it checks with the remote server if any files have been changed. If so, it replaces the local copies with the latest versions of the server share. If the files are modified locally in offline mode(system is disconnected from network) the changes are synced to the server share when the share is back to online mode. In this case sync happens from client to server machine. In case the files are modified both locally and on the share then offline files can’t determine which version of the file should be retained so it prompt the user to choose which way sync should happen.

Users can also trigger synchronization by the following way.

  • Right click on the share
  • Click on ‘Synchronize’

Note that the option ‘Synchronize’ will not appear in the context menu for the files/shares which are not pinned for offline availability.

{ 7 comments… add one }
  • Quick May 29, 2008, 9:27 pm

    Any idea how to keep the files from trying to sync when you log on/off and you are not connected to the network? Or if a user logs in while on the network, but disconnects and then logs off later while not connected? Pretty much I'm trying to figure out how to make it smart enough to know to not sync if it's not on the network.

  • Techblogger May 30, 2008, 1:03 am

    Hi,
    Please see the post offline files logon logoff synchronization. This should solve your problem.

  • Techblogger May 30, 2008, 1:07 am

    Also, it is not possible to disable synchronization only when disconnected. Either you have synchronization during every logon/logoff or you do not have at all. This setting works irrespective of whether the share is online or offline.

  • Quick May 30, 2008, 11:38 am

    I was afraid that was the case, I think I've come up with a work around. Thanks for your response.

    -Quick

  • flight July 15, 2008, 4:08 pm

    Are there more detailed/specific settings for offline synchronization? I have a problem where new subfolders that are added to the host computer are not being added to the client computer. I have to (from the client system) deselect then reselect the main offline folder before the client will recognize the new subfolders. Annoyingly, with the first subsequent synchronization, the client will only cache the new subfolders themselves, and NOT the contents. This takes some more reselecting and general fiddling. Can this be automated?

  • Techblogger July 15, 2008, 4:30 pm

    Please try setting HKLMSOFTWAREPoliciesMicrosoft
    WindowsNetCacheAlwaysPinSubFolders to 1. Alternatively it can be done by editing group policy. Open gpedit.msc and go to Administrative templates -> Network -> Offline files

    Now you can see a list of CSC related policies in the right side pane. Above reg key corresponds to "Subfolders always available offline"

  • Anonymous August 12, 2008, 11:11 pm

    Thank you so much.

    Seth

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