Topic: Ramifications of Roaming Profile user logging in on two diff

[mapangojoe]

Hello All.  I have a doctors office using SME setup with roaming profiles.  In that office there is one person who needs to be logged into more than one machine at the same time.  I'm wondering what will happen to data that that user created on the desktop, or in My Documents in referance to being logged in at both locations.  Can there be data loss assoicated with multiple roaming profile logins, or is this safe.

Chris Curtis

[dhardy]

Under multiple concurrent login scenarios as you describe data loss is almost certain to occur.

Roaming profiles are generally a very bad idea either with SME or with MS - I recommend that you avoid them at all costs.

In my experience users can achieve the same effect by using IMAP email and a mapped network drive (using the logon script contrib and the updated symlink rpm)

Have you got a really good reason for the roaming profiles?

HTH

David.

[mapangojoe]

Under multiple concurrent login scenarios as you describe data loss is almost certain to occur.

Roaming profiles are generally a very bad idea either with SME or with MS - I recommend that you avoid them at all costs.

In my experience users can achieve the same effect by using IMAP email and a mapped network drive (using the logon script contrib and the updated symlink rpm)

Have you got a really good reason for the roaming profiles?



David.

Yes, the customer requested it.  Sometimes, you implement what the customer wants even if you know it's not the best thing for them!

After all, I fix crappy screwed up windows systems all day long.  Almost never do my customers switch from Windows to MAC or Linux even when I tell them all the advantages.  I will even tell them that I'll make more money from them if they continue their lame Windows ways, and they still don't listen!

Thats the best reason of all, because it was required of me!!!!!!!!!!!!

HTH

[idp_qbn]

David,
Not really answering your problem, just a comment:
Often, people shape their request for assistance in terms of the solution rather than the problem.
ie your user has asked for roaming profiles as if NOT HAVING a roaming profile is the problem. The real problem is (most likely) that they want access to the same data (files and documents and possibly programs)no matter which PC they logon at, which can be solved many ways.

SO: they are telling you the solution not the problem. You need to turn this around. Not easy!

Good luck

[AlistairH]

It not just the possibility of losing data that may be at issue. Users can get even more confused by the messages that windows throws at them due to roaming and local copies of their profile being out of sync.

The main reason for using profiles is to maintain a common desktop appearance, including network connections, pointers, applications, menus and so on. All of this can be controlled by the use of logon scripts and policy files which don't have the network overhead that profiles do.

I think it wise to point out to the client the potential for data loss and give the alternatives. I sympathise tho, if the client is insistent - we've all got clients like that.