FAQ and Knowledge Base

Synchronization is an adjustment that causes something to occur or recur in unison. Specifically, File Synchronization is an adjustment to files between two (or more) locations with the goal of making sure that the locations contain the same up-to-date files. Locations can be folders on LAN, WAN, VPN, USB drives, USB keys, CD-RW, Zip Disks, etc.

Using this definition File Replication and File Mirroring (Backup) can be classified as special synchronization methods.

ViceVersa supports several File Synchronization methods:

Synchronization (Bidirectional)
This method performs a bidirectional file synchronization between Source and Target.
* All new files/ folders added to Source (single files) are copied to Target
* All new files/folders added to Target (single files) are copied to Source
* All deleted files/folders in Source are deleted from Target
* All deleted files/folders in Target are deleted from Source
* All updated files in Source (newer) are copied over older files in Target
* All updated files in Target (newer) are copied over older files in Source
N.B.: If a file changes both in Source and in Target, the file is in conflict. Conflict files need to be reconciled manually or optionally they can be synchronized automatically with the older file renamed with a timestamp.

Backup (Mirror Source to Target)
This method backs-up Source to Target by creating a mirror/replica of the Source in Target.
* All new files/folders added to Source (single files) are copied to Target
* All deleted files/folders in Source are deleted from Target
* All updated files in Source (newer) are copied to Target

Replication (Augment)
* All new files/folders added to Source (single files) are copied to Target

Replication (Refresh)  
* All updated files in Source (newer) are copied to Target (older)

Replication (Update)
* All new files/folders added to Source (single files) are copied to Target
* All updated files in Source (newer) are copied to Target (older)
N.B.: Files deleted in Source are NOT deleted from Target. This is different from the Backup method.
Optionally files can be moved to Target, that is, deleted from Source after copying to Target.

Consolidation
This method performs consolidation between Source and Target. This method does not keep track of file conflicts nor file deletions.
* All new files/ folders added to Source (single files) are copied to Target
* All new files/folders added to Target (single files) are copied to Source
* All deleted files/folders in Source are copied back from Target
* All deleted files/folders in Target are copied back from Source
* All updated files in Source (newer) are copied over older files in Target
* All updated files in Target (newer) are copied over older files in Source