Document Redirection - Could it really be?

I myself spent some time investigating this, and I also tried deploying it
across my domain. In all honesty, I didn't find it at all useful or bug free.

I never actually got it to work completely so that my users were never able
to save in the local machine My Documents. Whether I just didn't spend enough
time on it, who knows. But I certainly tan out of patience.

For me the requirement was to ensure that users did not save files on their
loca machine, but on their home drive. In the end I just downloaded the
Office ADM's and set the default save location in each of the applications to
use their Home drive instead. I still get the odd one who saves on their
local machine, but I've explained the consequences to them (not included on
backup) and they seem to understand now.

Hope that helps.

"J_Stoner" wrote:

> Greetings,
>
> I'm a self taught and occasionally frightening SBS Admin. I figure I should
> climb the learning curve on my own before ever charging someone a nickel.
>
> So...would someone mind sharing their thoughts on the pros and cons of My
> Documents redirection? (I searched and found some discussions regarding
> things going wrong with My Documents redirection). What I'm after is the
> benefits and when is it best to use?
>
> Thanks and as always any suggestions are welcome.
> --
> I don''t know what I don''t know
 >> Stay informed about: Document Redirection - Could it really be? 

I'm using my documents redirection with success, though it causes issues
from time to time and poeple can't stand to wait for synchronization.

All the complaints went away when some thieves broke in and stole the
company laptops one night. When i got new laptops and their my documents
folder was fully restored they understood the benefit and haven't complained
since.

One issue causes the most questions - you can't save access databases or
outlook pst files in the my documents folder tree without getting synch
errors. Address that and you're good to go (for the most part).

-Trevor

"J_Stoner" wrote in message

> Greetings,
>
> I'm a self taught and occasionally frightening SBS Admin. I figure I
> should
> climb the learning curve on my own before ever charging someone a nickel.
>
> So...would someone mind sharing their thoughts on the pros and cons of My
> Documents redirection? (I searched and found some discussions regarding
> things going wrong with My Documents redirection). What I'm after is the
> benefits and when is it best to use?
>
> Thanks and as always any suggestions are welcome.
> --
> I don''t know what I don''t know
 >> Stay informed about: Document Redirection - Could it really be? 

I'm using my documents redirection with success, though it causes issues
from time to time and poeple can't stand to wait for synchronization.

All the complaints went away when some thieves broke in and stole the
company laptops one night. When i got new laptops and their my documents
folder was fully restored they understood the benefit and haven't complained
since.

One issue causes the most questions - you can't save access databases or
outlook pst files in the my documents folder tree without getting synch
errors. Address that and you're good to go (for the most part).

-Trevor

"J_Stoner" wrote in message

> Greetings,
>
> I'm a self taught and occasionally frightening SBS Admin. I figure I
> should
> climb the learning curve on my own before ever charging someone a nickel.
>
> So...would someone mind sharing their thoughts on the pros and cons of My
> Documents redirection? (I searched and found some discussions regarding
> things going wrong with My Documents redirection). What I'm after is the
> benefits and when is it best to use?
>
> Thanks and as always any suggestions are welcome.
> --
> I don''t know what I don''t know
 >> Stay informed about: Document Redirection - Could it really be? 

J_Stoner:

Although it's not immediately obvious, there are actually two separate
issues here:

* Redirecting My Documents to the SBS.

* Using Offline Files to synchronize My Documents on the SBS with the
client-side cache on the PC(s).

By default, when you use the Server Management Configure My Documents
Redirection link, the wizard sets up BOTH. However, most of the
complaints about "My Documents redirection" are actually due to problems
with synchronization, that is, Offline Files / client-side cache.

For laptops, using Offline Files with My Documents redirection makes
sense: It provides a way make My Documents available while disconnected
from the SBS yet backup My Documents (using server backup) when
connected. But for desktop PCs that are connected to the network 100%
of the time, the benefits of Offline Files are debatable.

Microsoft's Jenny Wu provided this helpful information about disabling
Offline Files synchronization in an earlier post:

To disable this type offline setting, enable the [User Configuration
\Administrative Templates\Network\Offline Files\Do not automatically
make redirected folders available offline] group policy. You can refer
to the following steps:

1. Locate the node Server Management console -> Advanced Management ->
Group Policy Management -> Forests -> Domains -> yourserverdomain ->
Group policy Objects

2. Click the Default Domain Policy, and then click Edit. The Group
Policy Editor starts.

3. Locate the node: User Configuration\Administrative Templates\Network
\Offline Files

4. Double-click "Do not automatically make redirected folders available
offline".

5. Check Enabled and click OK to implement the process.

After done that the My Documents will not be made available offline. If
you want to configure some users My Documents available offline, you
need manually configure them. For your convenience, I list steps for
your reference.

I. To make shared network files or folders available when you are
offline, you can do as follows:

1. Click Start, and then click My Computer.
2. Click My Network Places.
3. Double-click the network place that contains the folder or file that
you want to make available offline.
4. Right-click the file or folder that you want, and then click Make
Available Offline. The Offline Files Wizard starts. Click Next to
continue.
5. Select the Automatically synchronize the Offline Files when I log on
and log off my computer check box, and then click Next.
6. Select the Create a shortcut to the Offline Files folder on my
desktop check box, and then click Finish. The files are copied to your
computer, and a "Shortcut to Offline Files" folder is displayed on the
desktop.

*NOTE: When you make other files available offline, they are displayed
in the "Shortcut to Offline Files" folder.

II. Configure those offline files on client workstation.

1. Click Start, and then click My Computer.
2. On the Tools menu, click Folder Options.
3. Click the Offline Files tab.
4. Select the Enable Offline Files check box, and then click OK.

-- Owen Williams

In article ,
JStoner DeleteThis @discussions.microsoft.com says...
> Greetings,
>
> I'm a self taught and occasionally frightening SBS Admin. I figure I should
> climb the learning curve on my own before ever charging someone a nickel.
>
> So...would someone mind sharing their thoughts on the pros and cons of My
> Documents redirection? (I searched and found some discussions regarding
> things going wrong with My Documents redirection). What I'm after is the
> benefits and when is it best to use?
>
> Thanks and as always any suggestions are welcome.
 >> Stay informed about: Document Redirection - Could it really be? 

J_Stoner:

Although it's not immediately obvious, there are actually two separate
issues here:

* Redirecting My Documents to the SBS.

* Using Offline Files to synchronize My Documents on the SBS with the
client-side cache on the PC(s).

By default, when you use the Server Management Configure My Documents
Redirection link, the wizard sets up BOTH. However, most of the
complaints about "My Documents redirection" are actually due to problems
with synchronization, that is, Offline Files / client-side cache.

For laptops, using Offline Files with My Documents redirection makes
sense: It provides a way make My Documents available while disconnected
from the SBS yet backup My Documents (using server backup) when
connected. But for desktop PCs that are connected to the network 100%
of the time, the benefits of Offline Files are debatable.

Microsoft's Jenny Wu provided this helpful information about disabling
Offline Files synchronization in an earlier post:

To disable this type offline setting, enable the [User Configuration
\Administrative Templates\Network\Offline Files\Do not automatically
make redirected folders available offline] group policy. You can refer
to the following steps:

1. Locate the node Server Management console -> Advanced Management ->
Group Policy Management -> Forests -> Domains -> yourserverdomain ->
Group policy Objects

2. Click the Default Domain Policy, and then click Edit. The Group
Policy Editor starts.

3. Locate the node: User Configuration\Administrative Templates\Network
\Offline Files

4. Double-click "Do not automatically make redirected folders available
offline".

5. Check Enabled and click OK to implement the process.

After done that the My Documents will not be made available offline. If
you want to configure some users My Documents available offline, you
need manually configure them. For your convenience, I list steps for
your reference.

I. To make shared network files or folders available when you are
offline, you can do as follows:

1. Click Start, and then click My Computer.
2. Click My Network Places.
3. Double-click the network place that contains the folder or file that
you want to make available offline.
4. Right-click the file or folder that you want, and then click Make
Available Offline. The Offline Files Wizard starts. Click Next to
continue.
5. Select the Automatically synchronize the Offline Files when I log on
and log off my computer check box, and then click Next.
6. Select the Create a shortcut to the Offline Files folder on my
desktop check box, and then click Finish. The files are copied to your
computer, and a "Shortcut to Offline Files" folder is displayed on the
desktop.

*NOTE: When you make other files available offline, they are displayed
in the "Shortcut to Offline Files" folder.

II. Configure those offline files on client workstation.

1. Click Start, and then click My Computer.
2. On the Tools menu, click Folder Options.
3. Click the Offline Files tab.
4. Select the Enable Offline Files check box, and then click OK.

-- Owen Williams

In article ,
JStoner DeleteThis @discussions.microsoft.com says...
> Greetings,
>
> I'm a self taught and occasionally frightening SBS Admin. I figure I should
> climb the learning curve on my own before ever charging someone a nickel.
>
> So...would someone mind sharing their thoughts on the pros and cons of My
> Documents redirection? (I searched and found some discussions regarding
> things going wrong with My Documents redirection). What I'm after is the
> benefits and when is it best to use?
>
> Thanks and as always any suggestions are welcome.
 >> Stay informed about: Document Redirection - Could it really be? 

Greetings,

Just wanted to drop a note and say thanks.
--
I don''t know what I don''t know


"Owen Williams" wrote:

> J_Stoner:
>
> Although it's not immediately obvious, there are actually two separate
> issues here:
>
> * Redirecting My Documents to the SBS.
>
> * Using Offline Files to synchronize My Documents on the SBS with the
> client-side cache on the PC(s).
>
> By default, when you use the Server Management Configure My Documents
> Redirection link, the wizard sets up BOTH. However, most of the
> complaints about "My Documents redirection" are actually due to problems
> with synchronization, that is, Offline Files / client-side cache.
>
> For laptops, using Offline Files with My Documents redirection makes
> sense: It provides a way make My Documents available while disconnected
> from the SBS yet backup My Documents (using server backup) when
> connected. But for desktop PCs that are connected to the network 100%
> of the time, the benefits of Offline Files are debatable.
>
> Microsoft's Jenny Wu provided this helpful information about disabling
> Offline Files synchronization in an earlier post:
>
> To disable this type offline setting, enable the [User Configuration
> \Administrative Templates\Network\Offline Files\Do not automatically
> make redirected folders available offline] group policy. You can refer
> to the following steps:
>
> 1. Locate the node Server Management console -> Advanced Management ->
> Group Policy Management -> Forests -> Domains -> yourserverdomain ->
> Group policy Objects
>
> 2. Click the Default Domain Policy, and then click Edit. The Group
> Policy Editor starts.
>
> 3. Locate the node: User Configuration\Administrative Templates\Network
> \Offline Files
>
> 4. Double-click "Do not automatically make redirected folders available
> offline".
>
> 5. Check Enabled and click OK to implement the process.
>
> After done that the My Documents will not be made available offline. If
> you want to configure some users My Documents available offline, you
> need manually configure them. For your convenience, I list steps for
> your reference.
>
> I. To make shared network files or folders available when you are
> offline, you can do as follows:
>
> 1. Click Start, and then click My Computer.
> 2. Click My Network Places.
> 3. Double-click the network place that contains the folder or file that
> you want to make available offline.
> 4. Right-click the file or folder that you want, and then click Make
> Available Offline. The Offline Files Wizard starts. Click Next to
> continue.
> 5. Select the Automatically synchronize the Offline Files when I log on
> and log off my computer check box, and then click Next.
> 6. Select the Create a shortcut to the Offline Files folder on my
> desktop check box, and then click Finish. The files are copied to your
> computer, and a "Shortcut to Offline Files" folder is displayed on the
> desktop.
>
> *NOTE: When you make other files available offline, they are displayed
> in the "Shortcut to Offline Files" folder.
>
> II. Configure those offline files on client workstation.
>
> 1. Click Start, and then click My Computer.
> 2. On the Tools menu, click Folder Options.
> 3. Click the Offline Files tab.
> 4. Select the Enable Offline Files check box, and then click OK.
>
> -- Owen Williams
>
> In article ,
> JStoner RemoveThis @discussions.microsoft.com says...
> > Greetings,
> >
> > I'm a self taught and occasionally frightening SBS Admin. I figure I should
> > climb the learning curve on my own before ever charging someone a nickel.
> >
> > So...would someone mind sharing their thoughts on the pros and cons of My
> > Documents redirection? (I searched and found some discussions regarding
> > things going wrong with My Documents redirection). What I'm after is the
> > benefits and when is it best to use?
> >
> > Thanks and as always any suggestions are welcome.
>
 >> Stay informed about: Document Redirection - Could it really be? 

Greetings,

Just wanted to drop a note and say thanks.
--
I don''t know what I don''t know


"Owen Williams" wrote:

> J_Stoner:
>
> Although it's not immediately obvious, there are actually two separate
> issues here:
>
> * Redirecting My Documents to the SBS.
>
> * Using Offline Files to synchronize My Documents on the SBS with the
> client-side cache on the PC(s).
>
> By default, when you use the Server Management Configure My Documents
> Redirection link, the wizard sets up BOTH. However, most of the
> complaints about "My Documents redirection" are actually due to problems
> with synchronization, that is, Offline Files / client-side cache.
>
> For laptops, using Offline Files with My Documents redirection makes
> sense: It provides a way make My Documents available while disconnected
> from the SBS yet backup My Documents (using server backup) when
> connected. But for desktop PCs that are connected to the network 100%
> of the time, the benefits of Offline Files are debatable.
>
> Microsoft's Jenny Wu provided this helpful information about disabling
> Offline Files synchronization in an earlier post:
>
> To disable this type offline setting, enable the [User Configuration
> \Administrative Templates\Network\Offline Files\Do not automatically
> make redirected folders available offline] group policy. You can refer
> to the following steps:
>
> 1. Locate the node Server Management console -> Advanced Management ->
> Group Policy Management -> Forests -> Domains -> yourserverdomain ->
> Group policy Objects
>
> 2. Click the Default Domain Policy, and then click Edit. The Group
> Policy Editor starts.
>
> 3. Locate the node: User Configuration\Administrative Templates\Network
> \Offline Files
>
> 4. Double-click "Do not automatically make redirected folders available
> offline".
>
> 5. Check Enabled and click OK to implement the process.
>
> After done that the My Documents will not be made available offline. If
> you want to configure some users My Documents available offline, you
> need manually configure them. For your convenience, I list steps for
> your reference.
>
> I. To make shared network files or folders available when you are
> offline, you can do as follows:
>
> 1. Click Start, and then click My Computer.
> 2. Click My Network Places.
> 3. Double-click the network place that contains the folder or file that
> you want to make available offline.
> 4. Right-click the file or folder that you want, and then click Make
> Available Offline. The Offline Files Wizard starts. Click Next to
> continue.
> 5. Select the Automatically synchronize the Offline Files when I log on
> and log off my computer check box, and then click Next.
> 6. Select the Create a shortcut to the Offline Files folder on my
> desktop check box, and then click Finish. The files are copied to your
> computer, and a "Shortcut to Offline Files" folder is displayed on the
> desktop.
>
> *NOTE: When you make other files available offline, they are displayed
> in the "Shortcut to Offline Files" folder.
>
> II. Configure those offline files on client workstation.
>
> 1. Click Start, and then click My Computer.
> 2. On the Tools menu, click Folder Options.
> 3. Click the Offline Files tab.
> 4. Select the Enable Offline Files check box, and then click OK.
>
> -- Owen Williams
>
> In article ,
> JStoner.TakeThisOut@discussions.microsoft.com says...
> > Greetings,
> >
> > I'm a self taught and occasionally frightening SBS Admin. I figure I should
> > climb the learning curve on my own before ever charging someone a nickel.
> >
> > So...would someone mind sharing their thoughts on the pros and cons of My
> > Documents redirection? (I searched and found some discussions regarding
> > things going wrong with My Documents redirection). What I'm after is the
> > benefits and when is it best to use?
> >
> > Thanks and as always any suggestions are welcome.
>
 >> Stay informed about: Document Redirection - Could it really be? 

That doesn't work if your workstation is Vista. Any ideas on how one makes it
work for Vista users?

"Owen Williams" wrote:
>
> To disable this type offline setting, enable the [User Configuration
> \Administrative Templates\Network\Offline Files\Do not automatically
> make redirected folders available offline] group policy. You can refer
> to the following steps:
 >> Stay informed about: Document Redirection - Could it really be? 

Look in the properties of the share. On the Share tab, click Caching, and
check the settings there - that's where you would configure offline sync
administratively (as opposed to the user having set it up manually on the
workstation, which is another possibility).

Is there some reason you don't want the files to be available offline? I
know that once in a while people have problems with offline files and prefer
to disable them rather than fix the problem, but IMO this is cheap insurance
to keep user access to documents in the event of a network or server outage.


"Mathew" wrote in message

> That doesn't work if your workstation is Vista. Any ideas on how one makes
> it
> work for Vista users?
>
> "Owen Williams" wrote:
>>
>> To disable this type offline setting, enable the [User Configuration
>> \Administrative Templates\Network\Offline Files\Do not automatically
>> make redirected folders available offline] group policy. You can refer
>> to the following steps:
>
 >> Stay informed about: Document Redirection - Could it really be? 

Great post.
Very resourceful guideline sharing about document redirection.
I like your useful post.
Thanks for great sharing.
 >> Stay informed about: Document Redirection - Could it really be?