Sync Framework Highlighted

The Sync Framework is a Microsoft platform for synchronizing data between independent databases, file systems, and other data sources. The Framework can help applications serve mobile users and others who don’t have reliable, high-capacity network connections. Available for over a year, its adoption in Windows, SharePoint, and a planned cloud data synchronization service could help the Sync Framework stand out among Microsoft’s many synchronization technologies and win a critical mass of developers. The latest version, Sync Framework 2.0, is available for download.

Data Synchronization for Multiple Sources

The Sync Framework run-time engine and APIs implement a generic protocol for synchronizing data sets (such as lists of contacts or browser favorites) across multiple data stores (such as a user’s mobile devices and PCs). The protocol can work with any type of data source, including file systems and databases, and can operate over any network protocol. Software components called providers manage synchronization for each data source type, handling tasks such as identifying data that have changed since the last synchronization, and detecting and resolving synchronization conflicts (e.g., two different versions of the same contact record). Microsoft supplies providers for SQL Server (including the Express and Compact editions for PCs and mobile devices), Windows file systems, and Web data stores that use Microsoft’s FeedSync protocol (such as some Windows Live services).