folder re direction

[mac_shinobi]

I found this ms kb on folder redirection :

 

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/232692

 

It says

 

Windows provides the ability to redirect specific user folders to server locations, using a group policy extension called Folder Redirection.

 

But what folders can you or are you allowed to re direct, or doesnt it matter and you can re direct any folder as long as you configure it via GPO ?

[tosca925]

Don't redirect Application Data, there is a bug in XP SP2 computers that causes all sorts of problems.

[maniac]

Don't redirect Application Data, there is a bug in XP SP2 computers that causes all sorts of problems.

 

I'll second that, it causes all sorts of issues, which is a shame as the application data folder is often huuge and fairly frequently the cause of a very slow login.

 

There are 4 folders you can re-direct;

 

My Documents

Start Menu

Desktop

Application Data

 

The main advantage of re-directing is that insted of copying the entire folder over the network to the workstation when you login (which it would do if it was part of your user profile) it leaves it on the server and simply references directly to the server location insted. It can speed up your logins as there's less data to copy at login, but if the users network connection is interupted, then you get problems like start menus and desktops disappearing. Never use it on a wireless network, as this will happen frequently. Wireless machines must have a local copy of the files to work from to guaruntee the reliability.

 

Hope that helps,

 

Mike.

[djm968]

There is a hotfix for application data folder redirection with Internet Explorer maintenance issue.

 

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/888254

[mac_shinobi]

Would it be possible to only re direct the outlook folder and the users desktop folder which is in

 

C:\Documents and Settings\%username%\Local Settings\Application Data\

 

so that any pst files are re directed to the server ( I know you can re direct the my documents folder )

 

so that each user on the network I am on get there my documents, desktop and there outlook folder backed up ?

 

Generally for most users we create a folder for the users outlook pst files on the root of the C drive ie

 

c:\username_outlook

 

Thanks for the info

[Andi]

Don't redirect Application Data, there is a bug in XP SP2 computers that causes all sorts of problems.

 

What problems are likely to be caused by this? I set this folder to be redirected quite a while back and have had no issues yet that I can think of.

 

Is there any easy way to set it back?

[ajbritton]

I to redirect App Data at many sites and have only had one issue with a piece of crummy software which appeared to dislike App Data being on a UNC path.

 

Please bear in mind that there are know issues with placing .PST files on the network. This has been discussed elsewhere.

[srochford]

DO NOT PUT THE PST FILES ON A NETWORK DRIVE :-)

 

http://blogs.technet.com/askperf/archive/2007/01/21/network-stored-pst-files-don-t-do-it.aspx gives more details about why you shouldn't do it but basically it's not a supported config and it will slow down your server; you'll see momentary hangs at regular intervals (I know; I've done it!)

 

What are you running as mail server? If it's Exchange then don't use PSTs, just leave the email in the Exchange store (which will then allow you to use OWA). If it's not Exchange then can you use something like IMAP to give access to the email?