Making files available offline???

[Shippwreck]

Hi,

I've just started a new job and they use Novell programs on windows 2000 machines.

The question is can synchronize my files with my laptop so that they are offline as i used to do in my old job that had a complete MS network and ran Win XP on all machines?

If you need more details about the version numbers of programs running then please also give me instructions on how to find them as this is the first time i have used novell. The only one that i know is that we use Groupwise 6.5 for e-mail.

Thanks

http://www.mattandhayley.me.uk

"Google is god...of the internet" - Me

 

[TheLad]

Don't know if NetWare offers that function, but you could always use the Briefcase function of XP if necessary

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"It's true, its damn true!"
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[marvhuffaker]

iFolder is your solution. It's built into NetWare 6, is much better in NetWare 6.5 (v2), and Version 3 that is part of OES Linux allows for multiple ifolders and 'shared' ifolders.

Quite honestly, it's better than anything you ever had at your old MS job.

One note however... The word "Novell" is very generic.. Saying you have Novell doesn't really tell us what network infrastructure you have or what services are running. GroupWise specifically can run on Windows, NetWare, or Linux.

Are you the administrator or end user? Because the stuff I am talking about generally requires that your Administrator have these items setup and ready for use. Not something you can do on your own. Any company can generally benefit from iFolder.

Marvin Huffaker, MCNE

http://www.redjuju.com

 

[terry712]

you can also use an rsync if you are more techie orientated
there is a good app note on this

it's just ifolder without the pretty front

 

[Shippwreck]

Hi Marvin,

I am an end user of this system, and they have it locked down pretty tight over here, can't even change my windows background, so any installation needed would HAVE to be done by IT.

Anyway, here's what i can gather about what we are running:

Windows 2000
Zenworks for desktops 4
Groupwise 6.5
Novell Client Trust
Netware (not sure of version)

I also posed this question to the IT dept and they told me to use a briefcase, so i am assuming that either:

They have not heard of ifolder.
Have heard but think it something to do with ipod (joke)
Or know of it but have decided not to implement it for various reasons.

What i'll do is take a look at what it does, how it works and possibly approach IT to see what there thoughts are.

Thanks for the info

Matt

http://www.mattandhayley.me.uk

"Google is god...of the internet" - Me

 

[terry712]

i find that strange that they would say briefcase
it is for want of a better word a piece of M$ s**t

traditionally as well - in a lockdown place it is the first to go

cannot beleive they dont implement it
really for a netware person - it is just putting another tick in the box

 

[marvhuffaker]

Funny that a shop with that much Novell stuff wouldn't want to take advantage of all the features. They are either lazy or dont' now of the capabilities. Ask them why you can't use iFolder.. There's no excuse for not using it.

Or give me their contact info and I'll call and straigthen them out.


Marvin Huffaker, MCNE

http://www.redjuju.com

 

[Shippwreck]

LOL, Shop!!!

The company i am working for is a Large one with multiple sites, Atleast 5 that i know of, and at each of those sites there are atleast 300 work stations.

However I totally agree with you that it is crazy for them not to take advantage of all the features if they are available. After talking to the IT guy that supports our building who is leaving due to a difference of opinion with management, (he actually put it to me that they should get there heads out of there... well you get the picture)he told me yes they are ion fact lazy and or stupid.

So i'm gonna have a go next week at requesting to have ifolder and just see what they say.

http://www.mattandhayley.me.uk

"Google is god...of the internet" - Me

 

[Provogeek]

my 2cents because I just like poking my nose around.


Terry, rsync is kewl and all, but it is server only, does not work on the PC. Also, Novell only supports it when it is used with NBO. Yes, you can use it for server to server syncs and yes it works great, but Novell does not support it. SO if it breaks, your SOL ... and NTS will tell you to use ZfS.


Now on this iFolder thing. From what I have seen, it's not so much being lazy as it is being skared. Lots of IT departments are just skared. iFolder runs on Apache, and many NetWare guys I have worked with, mostly the old skool guys, just don't get it, think it's a linux thing, and arn't willing to learn it. They think because it is a web service, it is insecure. Well here is the low down on iFolder functionality so you can relay it to the powers that be ....

iFolder will sync any directory on your PC to a server that IT can backup. If you PC crashes, all you need to do to recover is load the iFolder client on your new PC and the files will be pulled from the server. You can then have the ability of mobilization by using the iFolder Web Interface to get to your files. If you use a laptop (as I do), you're not always going to be connected to the network. With iFolder, you have your files, and when you do connect, they get synced. Unlike the M$ solution the syncs the whole file, iFolder only syncs the binary changes. So if you make an edit to a 50meg word doc (f'in huge doc you got there), and all you did was change a period or a sentance, then iFolder will only sync the bits that have changed, not the whole thing.

As far as security goes, well ... there is SSL security on the line. Pretty typical for any web services. However, iFolder goes further. When the user enables thier account, they create a "passphrase". This passphrase is the encryption key for thier files. Files are encrypted at the client before being sent to the server and are stored on the server in their encrypted format. So line sniffers won't get anything, and not even IT will be able to meddle around with a users files on the server. Lawfirms love this solution.

So give that to your IT, and if they are still skared; well Marv or I bill by the hour.

=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+
Brent Schmidt Certified nut case
Senior Network Engineer
Keep IT Simple

http://www.kiscc.com

 

[LawnBoy]

A question,

Let's say I setup iFolder (Brent's arguments are pretty persuasive). If

...not even IT will be able to meddle around with a users files on the server

How do I handle a freedom of info act request? Or, a user quits suddenly and I need to turn their files over to their supervisor?

I can't really allow files that only one user can decrypt.

 

[marvhuffaker]

With iFolder 2 (Included in NetWare 6.5), you have the ability to recover the passphrase. Note that you have to enable this ability first -- it doesn't just happen automatically.

Marvin Huffaker, MCNE

http://www.redjuju.com

 

[bytehd]

iFolder and RSync are sliced bread.........
anyone charging their customers for offline backup using this? I am.


George Walkey
Senior Geek in charge

http://www.insyncva.com

 

[bytehd]

BTTS
(Back to the subject)

google netware file migration

George Walkey
Senior Geek in charge

http://www.insyncva.com

 

[Provogeek]

George,

Could you elaborate for those wondering why your directing an end user to file migration tools? Unless Shipwreck is an admin, it's not a very advisable thing to do.

=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+
Brent Schmidt Certified nut case
Senior Network Engineer
Keep IT Simple

http://www.kiscc.com

 

[bytehd]

He needs to have a WebDAV server.

George Walkey
Senior Geek in charge

http://www.insyncva.com