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What is the Difference Between One-Way and Two-Way Synchronization?

In one-way sync, files are copied only from a primary location (source) to a secondary location (target) in one direction, but no files are ever copied back to the primary location. Replication and Backup (=Mirroring) are one-way sync methods in ViceVersa.

In two-way sync, ViceVersa copies files in both directions, keeping the two locations in sync with each other. Synchronization and Consolidation are two-way sync methods in ViceVersa.

You might set up a one-way sync to backup your files to the network, for example, where ViceVersa will copy every new files from your computer to the network but never to copy files in the other direction (from the network to your computer). When files are deleted from your computer they are also deleted from the network.

You might set up a two-way sync between a desktop and a laptop computer, for example, where ViceVersa will copy the newest version of any file it finds to the other location, overwriting any older versions of the same file. This is a good way to sync if you work with the same files on both computers and want to make sure you always have the most recent version of every file you have worked on, no matter which computer you are using.

During a two-way sync, ViceVersa will alert you whenever it finds a conflict, which typically occurs when a file has changed in both locations since the last sync. Rather than overwrite either of the files that have been updated since the last sync, ViceVersa will show the conflict and you can decide which version to keep.

There is also a profile option in ViceVersa PRO called 'Synchronize files even if in conflict (synchronization method)'. When this option is enabled, ViceVersa PRO will synchronize also file conflicts: it will copy the newer file over the older file and rename the older file into filename_[timestamp]_CONFLICT and keep it in the same folder.

User Comments
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Franco De Bonis -  16-Apr-08
I am using the 'Backup (Mirror Source To Target Option)' option. I now have hundreds of gigabytes of files and the backup is taking longer and longer, so it seems that it is backing up all files everytime. I was not using the tracking database because the help file said this was only necessary for syncronisation. But now I am wondering whether the tracking database is indeed required to enable it to know which files have changed. Can you clarify and help me understand why the backup is taking so long even when no files have changed?
TGRMN Software -  17-Apr-08
Hi, check the time and date of the files in the target folder(s).
It sounds like times and dates are not properly set for the target files.
Jason -  03-Mar-17
If I set a one-way sync between the two servers, one will be the primary and then the other one is just a standby. If the client\users delete some files from the primary server, will the ViceVersa software delete the files as well on the standby server? I mean, I want my standby server to be updated of any files that are being modified, deleted or move from one folder to another... Is this possible?
TGRMN Software -  05-Mar-17
Yes, ViceVersa will do that. Please see all the sync methods available here:
http://www.tgrmn.com/web/kb/item27.htm
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Author: TGRMN Software

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