Use of PowerFolder to synchronise two computers completely silently

[rowan.bradley]

I'm trying to use PowerFolder to synchronise a folder between two computers connected only via the internet using dynamic IP numbers. The reason I need to do this is that I have a software system that was written to communicate between the two computers but only when they had static IPs. In this mode computer A connected via TCP to computer B and accessed various files, sometimes modifying or deleting the files. This won't work if I don't have static IPs.

My idea is to use PowerFolder to synchronise the directory of files on computer B with a mirror copy on computer A, and then have the software application on computer A access the mirror folder. If the synchronisation is working properly, this should contain exactly the same files as the original folder on computer B, so the application should work without change. If the application changes or deletes the files in the mirror folder, these changes should be copied by PowerFolder to the original folder on computer B, so the applications there should also continue to work correctly. The only difference, it seems to me, would be a delay of 5 or 10 minutes, which in this situation should not matter.

Will this work?

If so, I would like the operation of PowerFolder to be completely invisible and automatic. I don't want any pop-up windows, error boxes, splash screens etc. since these will just confuse the non-technical users of the two computers. Can PowerFolder be set up to operate invisibly in this way? If there's an error, it should create a log file which I can access remotely, or send me an e-mail or something - _not_ put up some sort of error mesage on the screen.

If PowerFolder won't do this, do you know of a program that will?

Thanks for your help - Rowan

[B.A.]

Dear Rowan Bradley

-You can sync any directory with PowerFolder

-You can configure how powerfolder transfers data or deletes it if it is deleted by remote sitewith the transfer modes http://www.powerfolder.com/wiki/Transfer_Modes
Also ypu can configure how often a folder gets scanned for new files from one second to once per week

-You can run Powerfolder as a system service under windows (so its hidden)

-You can create http://www.powerfolder.com/wiki/Transfer_monitoring in csv format

Please note that PowerFolder cannot handle files which are in use

[rowan.bradley]

Thanks for your reply. It sounds as if it will do what I need.

How do I set it to run as a service?

I need to synchronise just one directory, with a lot of files in it. What happens if it tries to sync and finds some of the files are in use? Does it just skip them, silently, and try again later, or does it bring up some kind of error or warning? I need it to be completely silent, since the PCs are being used by non-technical people. Messages from PowerFolders will just confuse them.#

How do I set the sync time? I've only seen (in transfer modes) Sync and Sync 10 minutes. How do I get it to sync every 30 seconds, or every hour?

Thanks - Rowan

[B.A.]

You can install the system service under preferences/pro settings /system service


It will retry later if a file is in use and no warning will show up.

If yu have a lot of files you should take a look on this:
http://www.powerfolder.com/wiki/Memory_configuration

Since Powerfolder will not be able to ask you to add more memory if it needs it

Custom transfer modes:
Go to the settigs of a folder
Select the transfer mode which you would like to alter
Press create
Make the modifications you wish and add a name this transfer mode will be reusable on this computer later.

[rowan.bradley]

You can install the system service under preferences/pro settings /system service
Thanks for your reply. I can't find any Preferences menu. Where is this?

Thanks - Rowan

[B.A.]

its the small tools icon in the lower right corner

[rowan.bradley]

its the small tools icon in the lower right corner
Ah - I should have spotted that!
When I have set it to run as a service, do I also have to have it running in the system tray?
And do I have to have "Start PowerFolder with Windows" selected?
And when running as a service, can I still add more folders, change settings etc. via the normal user interface?

Thanks - Rowan