Mapped Drive or File Synchronization 1

[jn1167]

Question.

I know what a mapped drive is and I know how to get files to synchronize but why would you use one over the other? What are the benefits and what are the downfalls of using one or the other. What are the differences and when should you use one over the other(I think i said that already )?
This is all for a windows XP pro network that Im getting the bugs out of.

Im new to networking so all you experts go easy on me.

Thanks

 

[jn1167]

I forgot my other question.

When my files sync at the start of windows it keeps trying to sync with a computer that is no longer on the network. I have tried all kind of stuff to get rid of that computer but it still tries to sync with it every bootup.

Anyone know whats going on? This is a windows XP pro network

Thanks Again

 

[wolluf]

A mapped drive is just a shorthand way of accessing a (usually) network location. So drive G: might be \\gateway\users\data). Some software can only be run from a network location if that location is mapped. When data is synchronised bwetween 2 locations, usually means both locations end up with same folders/files, all being latest (timestamp) versions available from either location before the synchronise (you can have other definitions of synchronise). It has nothing to do with mapped drives, though you could synchronise (for example), drives D: and G: where D; is local drive and G: is mapped drive.

What files have you got synching at XP startup (and do you know how they are being synched - eg, logon script, startup job)?

 

[jn1167]

Thanks for sort of clearing that up

I have some more questions.

I have my Maya 4 Scene files sync at the boot up but i dont know how. What would be the best way to get these files to backup to my server?

Also you mentioned about the way that my files sync. What are the ways that they sync and why would you use one over the other?

One other thing. In order to have a folder sync, is it necesssary for the folder to be shared?

Thanks for your help in advanced!!

 

[jn1167]

I have another question.

Can you have a folder sync in one direction, eg. folder a to folder b but not folder b to a?

When I download files on one of my desktops like an mp3, I would like to have it go to a folder on my server. I really dont want all the mp3s on all the machines so I dont think that having them sync is a good I idea. How would you go about taking care of these problems?

Im learning all the network basics as I go. I set up my network with 15 computers and now Im just trying to optimize the way that stuff works.

Again, Thanks!

 

[wolluf]

I'm not an expert on the synchronisation utility that comes with windows XP - I've used a 3rd party utility called qfilesync. You could set that to sync one way only (you could apply various rules to the synching process - but I've not used the windows version - only looked at the help).
You say you have 15 XP computers networked, and also you have a server (Win2k server?). I'd suggest using the help (XP has good help generally) and play with the synchronisation manager, using some test files using just the server & one machine to find out how it works (unless of course, another post can give you better guidance, point you at a good reference site)

 

[Dmasch]

You could also create a share on the server called MP3 or whatever name you like and then from all your workstations map a drive to that folder so that everyone would have access to the files there. When you download new files save them to the shared folder so that everyone will have the new files.

EX: create folder called MP3 share as MP#
Then you could map every workstation to the MP3 folder as drive M: (or whatever you like)
This way everyone has a common place to save their files.
You could go a step farther and create folders inside the MP3 folder with the user names so that everyone could keep theirs separate but have a common place to access their files.

 

[SteveAudus]

Does anyone out there know how to switch off, uninstall or just completely destroy XP Pro Synchronize. I am sooooo fed up with the program.

This is why.....

My network is a school network, we have over 1000 kids,
that can log on, to any workstation in school.
Many PCs are NT, but we have just started installing new XP Pro machines.

When a pupil logs on, the XP machine, it uses the default profile to create a local user. We use Group Policy in Active Directory to Lock up many many functions, so the pupils can not mess instead of getting on with work.
The start menu is pulled from a shared location.
A script is used to map required drives.

The problem is that the XP machines, try to synchronize,
every bloody file on the mapped drives.......
This taking ages. and it tries to re-synchronize on logging off.

I can understand why Synchronization would be useful on a normal network, but on my school network, if a PC can't log onto the server, then it does not log on at all. No files are ever required off line.

So....
How do I kill Synchronization on XP Pro for good.

I have tried messing with loads of Synchronization setting in Active Directory, but it makes not difference.

I have even tried to delete or rename the mobsync.exe
But XP instantly recreates the file.

I have looked in the services but I can't Synchronize in there.

Any suggestions would be great,
sorry this question is so long but I am very frustrated with this problem.

Thanks
Steve Audus

http://www.chaucer.sheffield.sch.uk

 

[bcastner]

Off-line folders can be disabled, the specific folders specified, etc. through Group Policy.

Although the quickest way to turn it off is to enable Fast User Switching, as it disables off-line Folder synchronization.

Are you sure you are not talking about Roaming Profiles rather than off-line folder synchronization?

 

[SteveAudus]

Where do I enable Fast User Switching? I can't find it.

I have messed with the setting in

Computer Config.\Admin. Templates\Network\Offline Files
User Config.\Admin. Templates\Network\Offline Files

but it still bloody Synchronizes!!!!!.

It is definatly not roaming profiles, as we do not use them.

Thanks for the suggestion,

Any others?

Steve

http://www.chaucer.sheffield.sch.uk

 

[bcastner]

Control Panel, User and Groups, "Change the way users log on and off".

If off-line folders are enabled you will see an immediate message about Fast User Switching.

 

[bcastner]

You can head directly to off-line Folder settings in Windows Explorer, Tools, Folder Options, Off-line Files.

 

[bcastner]

Group Policy Settings for Offline Files

http://www.microsoft.com/technet/tr...prodtechnol/winxppro/reskit/prde_ffs_phvy.asp

 

[bcastner]

How to Use Fast User Switching

http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=279765