Folder Sharing, Mirror and Sync

[cheerful]

I have a desktop and laptop at home, both running XP Pro. They are configured to the same workgroup.

1. Can I enable per-use permission on folder sharing?

2. Is there some way to maintain a mirror of desktop folder on the laptop?

3. How about sync a folder on 2 machines?

Thanks!

 

[timroop]

You can setup Offline files from the Laptop.

Browse to a network share and "Right-Click" on the folder. Choose "Make Avaliable Offline"
The Offline files wizard should come up.

Just follow along with the prompts and you are good to go.

If there are a large number of files or large files then the first synch may take some time.

This will allow the Laptop to sycronize the files on Logon/Logoff so that when the Laptop is unplugged from the network you will still be able to get to the files in the same manner as before.

Hope this helps

Tim Roop
"If you can do something about it, why waste time getting upset? If you can't do anything about it, why bother getting upset on top of it? -Shantideva

 

[bcastner]

1. Can I enable per-use permission on folder sharing?"

If you mean password protection of each folder, no. If you mean controlling by user/Group access to any folder, yes. You must be using NTFS as the filestore, and you must disable Simple file sharing:

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;308418

"2. Is there some way to maintain a mirror of desktop folder on the laptop?"

See TimRoop's comments above. Let me add my first approach to this issue:

http://www.syncback.com/

"3. How about sync a folder on 2 machines?"

Member Timroop offered the best suggestion for two-way synch, use the offline files feature. "Briefcase" is another native option.

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

 

[cheerful]

Thanks for info!

"

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;308418"

It shows how set permission and turn off simple sharing. I don't have a domain at home. How do I set permission for laptop foo to access a folder on desktop? User foo exists on desktop but how can Windows trust that means the same user?

"

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

Offline folder. Is there option to specify where they are stored? For example, desktop has c:\mp3. Can I have it at the same place on laptop so that I can easily access it?

"Syncback"

Looks like very useful tool. Is there any security risk associated with it? Does it handle conflict well (changes on both sides)?

 

[bcastner]

1. You do not have to be in a Domain to turn off Simple File sharing:

http://www.practicallynetworked.com/sharing/xp_filesharing/index.htm

2. "Is there option to specify where they are stored?"
No.
They are stored in the CSS cache. Offline files does not create the same directory structure (as you describe it). It creates a single cache with virtual references.

3. "Syncback"
Looks like very useful tool. Is there any security risk associated with it? Does it handle conflict well (changes on both sides)?"

It is a little unfair to ask me to be in the position of product support for any product. I cannot imagine what security concerns you may have, the product does two-way synch, but I honestly am not in a position to provide on-line support for the product. This is unfair to me. I have answered your questions fully.

Other similar products for you to evaluate:

http://www.centered.com/

http://www.rekenwonder.com/brfcplus.htm

Best wishes,
Bill Castner

 

[cheerful]

Hi, Bill,

I was just trying to get an idea of what kind of experience you have, not asking for any kind of support.

Thanks for the great links!

 

[timroop]

While offline, the files are accessed via the same route you use while online (mapped drive, share, etc)

When files are changed on both machines when one is offline a Confilct resolution dialog will appear prompting the user to choose which file to use.

Tim Roop
"If you can do something about it, why waste time getting upset? If you can't do anything about it, why bother getting upset on top of it? -Shantideva

 

[cheerful]

Thanks, timeroop. I was trying to see if it is possible to use that mechnaism as a backup for large folder (such as my MP3 collection). It sounds pretty good.