Topic: long login/out times - my documents/etc

[dwater]

Hi,

Our users are complaining about the time it takes to log into/outof their XP Pro computers.

I am not sure why, but my theory is that they have large files stores in their 'My Documents' and they must all be copied over from the server when they log in. They must also be copied back again when they log out.

Is this correct?

If so, how best to work around this?

Max.

[raem]

dwater

>....large files stores in their 'My Documents' and > they must all be copied over from the server when > they log in.... (&)...log out.

Well, are you using Roamimg Profiles ?

If so, the users need to keep their locally stored files to a minimum, perhaps save them directly on a server ibay. Alternatively you could point the "My Documents" folder at a mapped ibay, and then that part is already done for them.

[dwater]

dwater

>....large files stores in their 'My Documents' and > they must all be copied over from the server when > they log in.... (&)...log out.

Well, are you using Roamimg Profiles ?

Yes. I've upgraded from Microsoft Windows 2000 Server, and so am trying to match that configuration as closely as possible.

If so, the users need to keep their locally stored files to a minimum, perhaps save them directly on a server ibay. Alternatively you could point the "My Documents" folder at a mapped ibay, and then that part is already done for them.

Sounds like I was understanding what was happening correctly.

How do I do this 'pointing'?

Max.

[raem]

In W2K right click on My Documents, select Properties/Target/insert new location for Target
Think carefully about the location you use.

[dwater]

In W2K right click on My Documents, select Properties/Target/insert new location for Target
Think carefully about the location you use.

So, what is normally done? Should I create a new ibay and put them all on there?

What is this H: drive? Can I use that?

"Think carefully" makes me not want to try at all

Max.

[raem]

dwater

> "Think carefully" makes me not want to try at all

It's not dangerous ! Just think about any possible implications for users or in regard to your Roaming Profiles before deciding what location to use.

> What is this H: drive? Can I use that?

That's the default home folder, unique for each user, in /home/e-smith/files/users/username/home


On 6.x the profiles are stored in
/home/e-smith/files/samba/profiles/username

[dwater]

> What is this H: drive? Can I use that?

That's the default home folder, unique for each user, in /home/e-smith/files/users/username/home


On 6.x the profiles are stored in
/home/e-smith/files/samba/profiles/username

The 'My Documents' folder is in the user's profile, right?

So, is the H: drive a good place to put things? I am tempted to just tell people to put their files in there, and not bother with moving 'My Documents'.

Max.

[raem]

I agree with that.

[arthurhanlon]

dwater,

The "My Documents" folder isn't the profile. The profiles are usually C:\Documents and Settings\'username' and are pulled down from SME server when logging in and saved back to server on logout to the location that Ray mentioned. Profiles store things like the users internet bookmarks, the desktop items etc.

The H: drive is the users home space so would probably make a good choice for mapping their "My Documents" folder to that. If you map rather than just telling people to use then you are ensuring that users are storing files in the place that you want and most Windows apps use "My Documents" as the default directory for storing files.

On our network at work (run by a few Windows servers), my W: is my home space and "My Documents" is mapped there.

Hope that helps,

Arthur

[arthurhanlon]

Aww, Ray, you beat me to it  

[dwater]

Great! Sounds like a plan

Sorry for sounding so dumb. I'm an IRIX guy usually, but am fairly knowledgable on Linux so I'm OK on SME server, but I'm completely noddy on Microsoft *.

I'm just pleased I'm managed to push them off W2K Server, but the process hasn't been without it's hick-ups.

One quick last question - is there an easy way of making this remapping automagically?

Max.

[raem]

dwater

> One quick last question - is there an easy way of making this remapping automagically?

You probably need to change it manually for existing users on each workstation, but for new (future) users you could change the setting in the Default User profile on each workstation.
The Default User profile has the settings that will apply to all new users the first time they log on. Read the Windows help for more info how to set it up and copy a current users profile to the Default User profile.

[raem]

While My Documents isn't the profile it is part of the user profile as it is in C:\Documents and Settings\username\My Documents

As I see it, if you are using Roaming Profiles and if you point My Documents at H: drive, then the files will be saved on H: drive on the server and also in the user profile on the server, thus saving the files in My Documents twice on the server (although I have not tested this to prove the theory).

When using Roaming Profiles I felt it was easier just to tell users to use H: drive for everything rather than saving stuff to My Documents. That's what H: drive is for anyway.

They soon get the message when they realise that dumping lots of stuff into My Documents (which is in the user profile) slows down login and logoff due to copying large profiles on & off the server !!

[dwater]

Great! Thanks very much

[dhardy]

FWIW I tell users to think about it. If its on the server it gets backed up and if it's on the workstation, it doesn't.

Most users would rather their stuff was backed up  

Then, if their stuff is backed up, do you really need the roaming profiles ....?

HTH

David.