The Cache Option for Offline Files Must Be Disabled on Roaming User Profile Shares (287566)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Server SP1
  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Server SP2
  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Advanced Server SP1
  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Advanced Server SP2
  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional SP1
  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional SP2
This article was previously published under Q287566

SYMPTOMS

With roaming user profiles, if you do not disable the cache option for Offline Files, synchronization problems may occur. The user profile can be placed in an unstable state as both Offline Files and the roaming user profiles attempt to synchronize the files in a user's profile.

CAUSE

This behavior can occur because the cache option in Offline Files is based on the server message block (SMB) protocol, and is SMB share-based.

If the cache option is enabled on a share, any files that are created on the remote share from the local computer can be cached. This action, however, can result in synchronization problems if the cache option is enabled on a share where roaming user profiles are located, or are accessed by means of a path where the cache option is enabled.

If a roaming user profile is located below a share where the cache option is enabled, Offline Files caches files in the users profile, as they are copied to and from the server. The reason this occurs is to handle situations where programs work with new copies of a file, and then rename the original file. (Offline Files caches all files created on the remote share from the local computer.)

Because a roaming user profile can copy the files in the user's profile to temporary files on the server share, and then rename them, Offline Files adds the files in the user's profile to the cache.

RESOLUTION

To work around this behavior, create a separate share to store the users' profiles, and then disable the cache option on that share. (The cache option can only be disabled on shares that are hosted by computers that run Windows 2000.)

Microsoft recommends that you store the roaming user profiles and offline-enabled shares on a separate server, whenever possible.
To disable the cache option by means of the command line:
  1. Click Start.
  2. Click Run.
  3. Type: cmd and click OK.
  4. At the command prompt, type: net share sharename /cache:no, where sharename is the name of the shared folder.

To disable the cache option by means of the user interface:
  1. Locate the shared folder by using Windows Explorer.
  2. Right-click the folder, and then click Properties.
  3. Click the Sharing tab.
  4. Click the Caching button.
  5. Click to clear the Allow caching of files in this folder check box.

STATUS

This behavior is by design.

MORE INFORMATION

The cache option for Offline Files must be disabled on shares where roaming user profiles are stored. If you want to store offline-enabled redirected folders and roaming user profiles on the same server, they must be on separate shares.

For additional information regarding IntelliMirror and user data management, visit the following Microsoft Web sites:

For user data and settings management: http://www.microsoft.com/windows2000/docs/settings.doc
For IntelliMirror tips and tricks: http://www.microsoft.com/technet/win2000/inttips.asp
Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:2/8/2006
Keywords:kbbug kbenv kbProfiles KB287566
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