What is One-Way Synchronization and Two-Way Synchronization？

File synchronization is the process of ensuring that two or more locations contain the same latest files. If you add, change, or delete files from one location, the synchronization process will add, change, or delete the corresponding files in another location. Synchronization can be "two-way" or "one-way".

What is One-Way Synchronization and Two-Way Synchronization？

Two-Way Synchronization

This synchronization process copies files in both directions to coordinate changes as needed. It is expected that the file will change in both locations. These two positions are considered equivalent.

Example: If the file is newer in location A, it will be copied to location B. However, if the file is newer in location B, it will be copied to location A. Similarly, if a file is deleted from location A, the file will be copied. Also deleted from position B, and vice versa.

One-Way Synchronization

The file can only be changed in one location. To coordinate changes, the synchronization process copies files in only one direction. These two positions are not considered equivalent. Ø NE location is considered the source and the other is considered the target. The file is pushed away from the source to target (or the file is pulled from source to target, but always in only one direction). It is said that Source has been mirrored to Target.

This will create an exact 1:1 copy of all files in the "source to target". Since only new files are changed, this is very useful and effective for backup.

Example: If the file is newer in location A (source), it will be copied to location B (destination). However, if the file in location B is newer, it will not be copied to location A. Similarly, if a file is deleted from location A, it will be deleted from location B.

Auto-Sync

File synchronization can be run automatically at irregular intervals, ie every 10 minutes, every 2 hours, etc., at scheduled times (ie 7:00 on Monday and Friday), in real-time (ie after file changes are completed). Detected at startup or shutdown.

Common File Synchronization Solutions

Synchronization between computers connected to a local network (LAN). The computer can be a laptop, desktop, workstation, server. For cross-computer sharing of selected folders, use Windows file sharing and sync use and vice versa.

Synchronization between computers connected to the Internet (WAN). This requires a VPN tunnel. The computer can be a laptop, desktop, workstation, server.

Synchronization between computer and external drives (USB). Synchronization between computer and NAS. The ultimate goal is to ensure that the selected folder on the computer and/or drive has the same latest files. Synchronization between unconnected computers

For computers that are not connected to the network, you can use a portable USB drive to synchronize.

If the files on the home computer (PC-1) must be synchronized with the files on the computer (PC-2) at work, you can synchronize the PC-1 with a portable USB drive, and then connect the PC-1 with the portable The USB drive is synchronized to achieve synchronization. The drive works normally and performs the same synchronization between the PC-2 and the portable USB drive. At the end of the process, the same latest file will be on both PCs and USB drives, which is useful for data backup.