Help Syncing Data in 2 Locations

[reicherb]

I've got a small accounting firm that would like to sync it's client data between 2 offices.

The main office has its data on a Win2k server with a DSL connection to the Internet.
The remote office has its data on a Win98 PC with a dialup connection.
A new folder with the data files is created for each client so I just need to sync up a folder on each end and the data is small enough that it could easily sync new files at night even over dialup.

My question is what is the best way to make this transparent. The only thing that comes to mind is FTP, but how can I do that without needing user intervention? Is there a better way to sync the folders?

Any thoughts?

Thanks.

 

[reicherb]

bump

 

[slackware1995]

<< I've got a small accounting firm that would like to sync it's client data between 2 offices.

The main office has its data on a Win2k server with a DSL connection to the Internet.
The remote office has its data on a Win98 PC with a dialup connection.
A new folder with the data files is created for each client so I just need to sync up a folder on each end and the data is small enough that it could easily sync new files at night even over dialup.

My question is what is the best way to make this transparent. The only thing that comes to mind is FTP, but how can I do that without needing user intervention? Is there a better way to sync the folders?

Any thoughts?

Thanks. >>



This would work, but I am not sure I recommend it.

Setup the Win2k box as an ftp server.

make a batch file on the win98 box that runs ftp. There is an executable that you can find that will take input from a text file (maybe search google). Then you can run it via scheduler.

Been a long time since I've done this. Hope it at least gives you a starting point.

 

[reicherb]

That's the only way I can think to do it, but was hoping for a cleaner way.

Any other ideas? Do any of the SOHO routers offer VPN support? Will they work with dialup?

Thanks.

 

[slackware1995]

<< That's the only way I can think to do it, but was hoping for a cleaner way.

Any other ideas? Do any of the SOHO routers offer VPN support? Will they work with dialup?

Thanks. >>



Haven't researched it.. have you tried a google search? Or going to some of the websites?

 

[reicherb]

I've looked and haven't found many options.

Someone must have done something like this.

 

[Videoplusman]

I don't believe W98 can support native file sync's. Having said this, if you can upgrade the laptop to Win 2000/XP, go here

http://www.microsoft.com/technet/tr...prodtechnol/winxppro/reskit/prde_ffs_ooln.asp

and check out the native file synchronization that's built in.

Good Luck, dave

PS: in a business environment you should really consider the security/reliabilty of the NTFS file system.

 

[mcveigh]

of course rsync in linux could do it, i'm trying to set that up right now

 

[reicherb]

That appears to only work on a LAN or am I missing something?

Thanks.

 

[Videoplusman]

Sorry I only answered 1/2 your question! Windows 2000/XP has RAS (Remote Access Service) built in. You can go here to check out a few useful FAQ's about it. This service allows 2 computers to read/sync files over the internet, directly (LAN) etc.

http://www.ntfaq.com/Articles/Index.cfm?DepartmentID=795

So, to recapitulate: Upgrade 98 to 2000. Setup RAS on your 2 PC's. (for added security try a VPN). Then setup synchronization for your particular folders/files.

By the way Windows 2000 server has an excellent help index. Most folks never touch it. Try it...you might like it!

Dave, Videoplus
Stamford, CT.