2-way Sync with Time Difference

[habajaba]

I need to keep a production and failover web server's files in sync. Generally, this means pushing all changes from production to failover. However, if the failover server is used, we will need to push changes back to production when it comes back online. I am currently testing out your tool as well as Syncrify. SFFS seems to be a more polished product with a more robust feature set, so I'm hoping you can help me out!

I have installed SFFS on the production server with the following profile settings -
Left - local files
Right - unc path to failover server files
Copying in both directions
Realtime on (including deletes)

I am assuming this is the best way to accomplish what I'm looking for?

To test, I add a file on failover and it's copied back to local. Then, I add a file on local and it's copied to failover. Great, so far. Now I delete both files on local side. Sometimes it will push one of the files back from failover to local. I have not changed that file. Inspecting the log file, it seems that the issue is with the system time being different on the 2 machines. The failover machine is about 1m30s ahead of production.

Is there a good way to handle differing system times? I'm not sure I can guarantee we will keep these 2 machines clocks identical. Maybe your app could create a file on the right side and check it's creation time, thus allowing you to calculate an offset?

I look forward to your thoughts. Thanks!

[superflexible]

Hello,

the clock should not play a role, although it's easy to keep it in sync by using Windows built-in ability to sync with a time server. Just check the date & time settings.

If you choose SmartTracking details on the Program Settings dialog, tab sheet logs, the log file will contain details on why a file was copied or deleted. You can then post the log here or send it to info@superflexible.com and we'll have a look.

[habajaba]

I sent you more details by email on Friday. Have you had a chance to look at it? I'm sorry to bother, but I need to decide on a tool for this client and move forward ASAP.

Thanks!

[superflexible]

Hello,

thanks for the logs. I saw that you are using Real-Time Synchronization. Yes, in that case the clocks must be identical. The program is not going to delete the file if its timestamp is apparenty more recent than the time of the delete action.

Alternatively, you can schedule a regular sync with SmartTracking. That will not be action based and will take the files for their face value.

You can also use the new version 6 and use the new "Folder Mode" for real-time. It will not look at the time of the action either.

However, it is extremely important that all computer clocks must be correct nowadays. I urge you to fix it and to use the timeserver synchronization I mentioned in my first reply.