force computer to use Offline version rather than server copy

[Chris O]

When a computer is still connected to the network, is there a way to force a
computer to use the local offline version of files rather than pulling the
file from the server?

I have My Documents on my client PCs redirected to users' home directories
on a SBS2003 server. There is one client application used that creates
proprietary database files that range from 2-20 MB in size. On some of these
files, sometimes the network connection isn't fast enough for the
application and it causes problems with the database files (the files work
fine when manually copied locally first).

I want users to be able to save their files to the server home diretory (for
back-up plus so files are accessable from users' laptops and desktop PCs)
but sometimes the network isn't fast enough for the applications to load the
data files from the server. So it would be nice if there was a way to have
the computer load the local copy (and then it'll sync the changed local copy
back to the server once the user logs out).

[David Elders]

Is it worth trying Offline Folders and seeing if that works? You could use
My Briefcase and 'point' your application at that I suppose and Offline
Folders is kinda similar although you can set it to synch automatically on
logon/logoff... just a thought...

David

"Chris O" <a...@b.com> wrote in message
news:DbUNc.1434$9Y6...@newsread1.news.pas.earthlink.net...

[Chris O]

I'm using Offline Folders. That's what my question is about; is there a way
to force the computer to use the version that has been synced locally in the
Offline Folders rather than use the network version?

One of my apps needs to load its data files faster than it can grab them
through the network. I would assume the Offline Folders version of the files
would load faster since it is a local copy. I am looking for a way to get
the speed of loading the files locally and still automatically keep a copy
on the server so the files get backed up and are accessible from a second
computer.

"David Elders" <david_...@nospam.hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:erGVfVOd...@TK2MSFTNGP12.phx.gbl...

[Lanwench [MVP - Exchange]]

Chris O wrote:
> I'm using Offline Folders. That's what my question is about; is there
> a way to force the computer to use the version that has been synced
> locally in the Offline Folders rather than use the network version?

No, don't believe so.

>
> One of my apps needs to load its data files faster than it can grab
> them through the network. I would assume the Offline Folders version
> of the files would load faster since it is a local copy. I am looking
> for a way to get the speed of loading the files locally and still
> automatically keep a copy on the server so the files get backed up
> and are accessible from a second computer.

Check out www.centered.com - SecondCopy is cheap 'n cheerful and in my view
works a LOT better than offline files. Free 30 day eval - and no, I'm no
shill, paid or otherwise. I just use this all the time for my laptop
clients, and think it would work fine for you in this situation. Point the
app at a local data folder (c:\appname? c:\data?) and use SecondCopy to sync
it (it won't sync files in use, but it will sync at login, and at scheduled
times, and can be manually run). Might do the trick...try the eval....

[Eric Sun [MSFT]]

Hi Chris,

I still think the Briefcase folder could fit your scenario.

As David suggested, you could first create a new Briefcase and move your database into this breifcase. After that, please set your
application to use the file in Briefcase. No matter the network connection is actived, the local file in the breifcase will be used and
it will only be updated with the server when you click Update all button.

Please refer to the following article.

307885 How To Use the Briefcase Feature in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=307885

You can also take a look of below article, it may also useful to you. Normally, synchronization happens automatically whenever a
network connection becomes active. However, you can configure your synchronization settings to specify the offline files that are
synchronized when a network connection becomes active.

312171 How To Configure Offline Files to Synchronize When a Particular Network
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=312171

Hope that helps.

Best Regards,

Eric Sun,
MCSE2000 / MSCA / MCDBA
Microsoft Partner Support Professional

Get Secure! - www.microsoft.com/security

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