Offline Files
Offline Files, which is supported only on Windows 2000/2003 and XP-based clients, replaces My Briefcase and works a lot like Offline Browsing in IE5.
You must share a folder and set its caching to make it available offline. There are three types of caching:
- Manual caching for documents: Default setting. Users must specify which documents they want available when working offline.
- Automatic caching for documents: All files opened by a user are cached on his local hard disk for offline use. Older versions on user's machine are automatically replaced by newer versions from the file share when they exist.
- Automatic caching for programs: Same as above, but for programs.
When synchronizing, if you have edited an offline file and another user has also edited the same file you will be prompted to keep and rename your copy, overwrite your copy with the network version, or to overwrite
the network version and lose the other user's changes (a wise administrator will give only a few key people write access to this folder or everyone's work will get messed up).
Using Synchronization Manager, you can specify which items are synchronized, using which network connection and when synchronization occurs (at logon, logoff, and when computer is idle).
To manage shares, use the MMC Console to open the Shared Folders snap-in.
This console allows you to view the Shares, Sessions and Open Files. You can close resources, as well as set share permissions with this administrative console.
Next: Troubleshooting Terminal Services and Remote Desktop Connections
