The best sync software for windows 7 home folders

[V4705]

Hi,
I'm thinking to build a server (win 7 with shared folders or linux with samba), with 20-30 users (separate folders). and every night every workstation (20-30 as I said) will sync the changes from the home folder (c:/users/user-name/) to this server.

1. Is it possible or for some reason I cant copy most of the files there? I know "my document' and "desktop" will be fine, but other settings folders I'm not so sure I can copy.

2. What is the best freeware software for windows that support network drives?
Best means performance(cpu/mem) and sync "smartness"(changes finding, file comparison) and such.


Thank you !

 

[PTNL]

Why not just map each of the workstation users' MyDocs folder to a folder on the server? Much of what you've described would happen automatically, and would appear seemless to the end user.

And on a related note... Why use a desktop OS instead of Windows Server? With the given number of users of 20-30, and the likely chance of that number increasing, several features of Windows Server could make management much easier -- Active Directory, internal DNS, etc.

 

[YeOldeStonecat]

Your setup is illegal once you get that 21st computer connected to the "server". Windows 7 licensing is only up to 20. Sectoin 3.F. of your EULA...go start==>run==>WINVER and click enter, click agreement, scroll down....says the following:

"Device Connections. You may allow up to 20 other devices to access software installed on the licensed computer to use only File Services, Print Services, Internet Information Services and Internet Connection Sharing and Telephony Services."

Why not get a REAL server? Seriously....past 10 computers in a business network....it's much easier..and performs better with many concurrent connections. (also assuming you use real server grade hardware and not some 599 dollar best buy desktop PC trying to run as a server). For that many users, you want some fast server grade hard drives...and since they're holding a lot of important data, would be common sense to use RAID 1 at the least.

Can't afford Windows Server and licensing? if you're a non-profit or educational you most likely can. If not...look at something like FreeNAS.

 

[Nasty_Savage]

Stonecat is right. Making a windows 7 box as a server is silly. Either get Windows Small Business Server or set up a Linux server. As for syncing, you can use Offline files which is built into windows.

 

[V4705]

Thanks for the answers, I cannot get SBS right now, it will cost around 2800$ for us, and the CEO can't see the advantages for him.

About mapping the real home folders, if I'm using linux box (ubuntu/centos/freenas, sharing folders with samba I guess), how can I map the home folder on a regular windows desktop (without active directory and such) ?

And BTW, what do you think FreeNAS will give me (for my uses) more than ubuntu/centos with webmin ?


Thanks.

 

[YeOldeStonecat]

About mapping the real home folders, if I'm using linux box (ubuntu/centos/freenas, sharing folders with samba I guess), how can I map the home folder on a regular windows desktop (without active directory and such) ?.

Go to each....drill into libraries..select a folder you wish to relocate..such as Documents...expand...right click My Documents..select properties. Click Location tab. Press "Move" button...browse to your UNC path...select folder you created for that user...pre-build a sub folder called Documents in that folder. Like...\\server\users\jdoe\documents.
Don't select a mapped drive...Vista and Win7 act wonky when you map user libraries to a drive letter. Once in a while you'll get weird install errors when installing things like Adobe Acrobat. Gotta direct user folders to UNC path now.

As for freenas vs centos...dunno. FreeNAS has web admin too. Haven't used others for storage to compare...but I do like freenas for a free home solution. Suppose on good hardware it would work well for a biz network on a budget. You still want to think about backup of that storage box.

 

[SuperFly4]

2. What is the best freeware software for windows that support network drives?
Best means performance(cpu/mem) and sync "smartness"(changes finding, file comparison) and such.

For smartness you can't beat RSYNC [ame="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rsync"]rsync - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia@@AMEPARAM@@/wiki/File:Newrsynclogo.png" class="image"><img alt="Newrsynclogo.png" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/1/11/Newrsynclogo.png/160px-Newrsynclogo.png"@@AMEPARAM@@en/thumb/1/11/Newrsynclogo.png/160px-Newrsynclogo.png[/ame]