Data Synchronization: Improvements over NT 4.0 and Windows 98

Windows 2000 improves the user interface and reliability of data synchronization, the process of getting data from a network onto a laptop, working with the data while the laptop is disconnected, and updating the data with changes when the laptop reconnects to the network (see “Why Laptops Need Data Synchronization“). Windows 2000 simplifies synchronization both for files and for settings—application preferences, network configuration, desktop layout, and all the other behind-the-scenes data that controls how the system looks to the users. However, lack of application support and migration issues somewhat limit the benefits of Windows 2000’s new features.

File Synchronization

File synchronization lets a user copy files and folders from a network to a laptop and keep the network and laptop copies in sync.

Issues in Windows 95, 98, and NT 4.0

Windows 95, 98, and NT 4.0 users synchronize files with Briefcases. A Briefcase is a special folder that contains a copy of files or folders that the operating system should keep consistent between a laptop and the network. A user copies network files and folders to a Briefcase on a laptop. Thereafter, the user can synchronize the files in the Briefcase with those on the network. If only one copy of a file has been changed, it will copy the newest file over the old one. If both copies of a file have changed, a conflict results.