Question

  • Creator
    Topic
  • #2254489

    Offline Files in Windows 2003 Server

    Locked

    by jayobu ·

    We have been using Windows 2003 Server (with only 5 computers in the domain) for a while, about a year now.. with no problems.. until we recently added 3 new dell laptops to the domain.. and the problems started. We keep getting this balloon messages “Offline Files – Working offline, You are no longer connected to ‘OurServer’) and the shared folders keep disappearing… Anyone know what the problem is?

All Answers

  • Author
    Replies
    • #2520806

      Clarifications

      by jayobu ·

      In reply to Offline Files in Windows 2003 Server

      Clarifications

    • #2542865

      Me, too…

      by annvv ·

      In reply to Offline Files in Windows 2003 Server

      I get the same issue for some HP laptop users who work through a VPN. I note when they sync their files, the connection comes back, and while “dropped” they are still on the VPN, but the directory mappings go dumb, and don’t see all the files they should. I, too, am interested in anything anybody has to say of how to solve this.

    • #2542856

      Been there, Done that!

      by benjamin.bone ·

      In reply to Offline Files in Windows 2003 Server

      Open windows explorer, tools > Folder Options > Offline Files Tab > Remove the check from the “Enable Offiline Files” Box.

      May require a reboot.

      Also, make sure (if you are using GPO’s) that your GPO is not configured for offline files!

      Hope this helps.
      Ben

      • #2542775

        But I want offline files…

        by annvv ·

        In reply to Been there, Done that!

        My goal is to get it to work, not to disable the use of it. The users I have are on the road, and sometimes can’t connect – they want their files available on or off line. Disabling Offline files is not a viable option.

        • #2542558

          Hmm

          by benjamin.bone ·

          In reply to But I want offline files…

          Then why have a domain? If you have 5 users that are always on the road, then why manage user accounts?

          You need to configure your GPO settings for offline files if you really want to use them.

        • #2543247

          It is a requirement

          by annvv ·

          In reply to Hmm

          The industry is one where the files potentially have confidental information must be protected. To accomplish this, along with the user’s need to have files available when they can’t connect, we use offline files and encrypt them on the laptops and require dual authentication (biometric and strong passwords). It is also a requirement to limit what they can do to change their own configurations. If I could simply force them to be domain clients, period, I would. The settings are configured via the GPO, including redirecting their home directory to a network share, but with some allowance to choose exactly how and when they sync.

        • #2578588

          Just an intution…

          by syxys ·

          In reply to It is a requirement

          I would try to increase the number of licence. The default for windows 2003 is 5. We are using offline files caching and redirected ?My Documents folder? with no problems for 2 years now.

        • #2578284

          I have the same problem

          by gfougere ·

          In reply to Just an intution…

          I would like to know if you have had any success with this issue. I have been trying to resolve the same issue.

        • #2557846

          In my case problem solved by increasing licenses

          by rpr.nospam ·

          In reply to Just an intution…

          I realized that the LicenseService (License Logging) was not started on the Windows Server 2003 that shares the files. After starting it, I added licenses according to purchased MS Windows Server CALs for that Windows domain (licensing per device or per user):

          Administrative Tools -> Licensing -> License -> New License -> Product: Windows Server

          After that the problem disappeared.

          It’s strange that Windows Server does not write any records about this problem in its Event Log.

        • #2578125

          Working with workarounds, and understanding the limits

          by annvv ·

          In reply to It is a requirement

          We are working effectively with just some understanding on the part of the enduser, and their being mindful to watch the folders. I found the disappearing folders and “no longer online” problem documented (can’t remember where right now) and seems to be a Microsoft limitation. Forcing a sync brings it back, and is easy enough for the enduser to do. We have had some issues where folders simply would not create as synced folders, even within the synced structure, and workaround that by recreating them, and making sure they show as synced.

        • #2466266

          Offline Folder issues resolve

          by gfougere ·

          In reply to Working with workarounds, and understanding the limits

          I have been having the same problems with offline folders going offline and then all shares from that server disappearing when the server went “offline” even though it was still working perfectly fine. We recently discovered and resolved a problem with the reverse DNS entries. The problems I was having do not occur now. I have been working several weeks now with no issues.

        • #2631841

          Offline Folder issues Resolve – Question

          by syxys ·

          In reply to Offline Folder issues resolve

          Could you be more specific about the problem with DNS? As I said previously, everything was running fine until I try to switch folder redirection to a DFS share. In fact changing folder redirection to a new drive letter mapping is a nightmare. I keep getting disconnected message and cannot get rid of the old cached files. I have been deleting the files, reinitialising the cache and still I got issue. So any information could be helpful. Thanks in advance

        • #2544306

          Reverse DNS

          by gfougere ·

          In reply to Offline Folder issues resolve

          Our reverse DNS was not working on our windows 2003 DNS servers. Once we made the correction to the DHCP server to properly register the reverse DNS entries of all the computers on our domain, the problems i was having with offline folders went away.

          http://technet2.microsoft.com/windowsserver/en/library/179d4f6c-9482-4dac-8f03-74bd78b7d2631033.mspx?mfr=true

        • #2545638

          re Reverse DNS

          by syxys ·

          In reply to Offline Folder issues resolve

          Thank you for the info. It ain’t the source of my problem but thank you for responding.

Viewing 2 reply threads