Is offline files worth the headache?

[Saavyd]

I my environment we run windows 2000 server with xp clients. The clients have a group policy that redirects the users my documents folder to a location on our server. Also the group policy is set to force sync of offline files at log off.

All works well for the user but there is an issue with offline files for our domain admins. Since all domain admins have rights to each user home folder and each home folder is set for automatic caching, ever time and admins visits one of these folders the client machine automatically syncs to this folder. It makes matters worse when and admin logs into a users box and visits multiple folders in search of some file.

I need to gather opinions on the use of offline files in real word situations. Is offline files really used when the company has a reliable file sever? And should admins have offline files disabled in GPO to prevent syncing to unwanted folders?

Anyone got some ideas or work abounds? I would appreciate any advice on this.

 

[Davetoo]

The only case where we employ offline files is with our mobile users with notebooks.

I'm Certifiable, not cert-ified.
It just means my answers are from experience, not a book.
The poster formerly known as lander215

 

[kmkeshav]

To my knowledge, offline files are really required if you have mobile computers. If you have don't have any mobile users, I suggest you to not use offline features.


-Keshav / IT Consultant

 

[pgaliardo]

Just to backup the previous 2 posts. If you don't need to take the files out of the office,don't bother with offline files. No need to use offline files if the desktop is constantly connected to the network. Maybe you should create another OU just for mobile users and only apply the offline files policy to that OU if they need it. With remote access to the office so easy these days, I think the need for offline files is waning.