How synchronization works

When a DLO job runs, DLO does the following to back up and synchronize files:

  • Backs up files that changed on the desktop.

  • Makes synchronized files available to the other computers with which the desktop is synchronized.

  • Downloads synchronized files that were changed on another computer and uploaded since the last DLO job ran.

  • Retains all conflicting versions of files. You can then choose which version to use.

When you back up files, you can set various filters, such as which types of files to include, exclude, compress, or encrypt. When you synchronize files between computers, the filters are combined. For example, if one of the synchronized files is compressed and encrypted, all synchronized files are compressed and encrypted automatically. If the original backup selection backed up only .jpg files, the synchronized file set includes only .jpg files.

If the settings for a synchronized folder are changed after the folder is synchronized, and the folder is later unsynchronized, the folder reverts to the original backup selection settings. For example, the original backup selection backed up only .jpg files and the folder is later synchronized and set to back up all files. If the folder is then unsynchronized, it will once again back up only .jpg files.

If the number of files that are backed up on different computers varies, DLO synchronizes the largest number of files. For example, if you back up three files on computer A and back up five files on computer B, DLO synchronizes five files.

Synchronized selections are subject to limitation by global excludes in the same manner as backup selections.

You can manage synchronization using the following options:

  • Standard view, which enables you to create new synchronization sets.

  • Advanced view, which enables you to modify settings for each synchronization set.

To use the synchronization feature, all synchronized computers must run the same version of the Desktop Agent and the clocks on all computers must be synchronized. In addition, the computers that run the Desktop Agent must use the same version of the Windows operating system. For example, you can synchronize data between two computers that both run Microsoft Windows Vista. You cannot synchronize data between a computer that runs Windows Vista and a computer that runs Windows XP.

How synchronization works