A method and system for associating, synchronizing and reconciling files. Associated files are synchronized and their synchronization status reported. Based on the synchronization status. the operating system recommends a preferred reconciliation action. Furthermore, file conflicts are recognized and an application interface for computer applications is provided to allow conflicting files to be merged.

A database synchronizer facilitates computing systems which have client-side and server-side applications that share data in similar database structures, but which do not maintain a continuous connection to a single shared data source. In general, a database synchronizer is used to share data among many nodes on the computing system. The database synchronizer is used to synchronize the data in a central database for a particular client with the data on that client's intermittently-connected computer. Updates performed by either client or server are propagated to the other side when a connection is established and eventually from the server to other clients in the system.

In a computer network comprised of multiple nodes spread across different geographic locations and connected through a communication system, a Distributed Data Synchronizer (DDS) synchronizes files across the network so that user applications running at the various nodes can share common databases of information. In a preferred embodiment, rather than store master files at a server node, each node stores a master copy locally in a disk drive. When a user application modifies one of the local files, the DDS communicates the update to the appropriate remote nodes under the control of a user defined script file.

Bal – named for the balancing effect it has on distributed document collections – helps users and system administrators keep track of changes made to files or directories and telling them when files have changed, have been deleted, or new files have been created on either side. It can automatically copy, create, or delete files to synchronize two document collections. It warns users if files have been changed in both collections since its last run and offers help in resolving the conflicts.

A system of the present invention includes a server connected to one or more workstations or "clients" through a computer network. Methods are provided whereby network data access operations, such as are common in shared data processing, are minimized to only those which are necessary for system operation. In all other instances (i.e., time periods when updating is not needed), a workstation may gain access to the data from a local copy stored in a local buffer, preferably a rapid-access memory of the client. At periodic intervals, a workstation is interrupted for marking its local copy of the data as "invalid"--that is, the copy may be inconsistent with a corresponding version stored on the server. With the next access to the data, the local copy is updated from the version resident on the server. Additional optimization may be added for determining whether the server version has been "touched" (i.e., changed) since last transferred to the local buffer, with the local copy being updated only when such a change has been detected. By maintaining data locally, the penalty incurred with frequent, large data transfers across a network connection is avoided.

Systems and methods for automated monitoring and management of distributed applications, client/server databases, networks and systems across heterogeneous environments. Distributed, automated intelligent monitoring agents use embedded sensing technology which is knowledgeable of application protocols, to monitor continuously the network environment in real time. To this end, the monitoring agent can be located on each client and server in the network. The monitoring agent can couple to the communications stack for monitoring the data that is being passed between the client and the network, of a server in the network. The data can be collected and employed for trouble shooting trend analysis, resource planning, security auditing, and accounting as well as other applications. Also included is a controller for remotely coordinating the data gathering process from the various clients and servers.

A method, computer program product, and system that allows changes made to an original database table found on a server computer to be reflected in client copies of the database table based on intermittent client requests for synchronization. A server makes periodic updates of table differences between a current table receiving database change events and a reference table. Each client copy of a database table and update created by the server has a sequential version number associated therewith. The server will compare the version number of a client copy of a database table with the most recent version number of the table on the server to determine which updates need be applied in order to make the client copy current. Next, the updates will be translated from a generic format into instructions that are specific to the type of database engine being run on the client. Finally, the instructions are transmitted to the client (along with the new version number) so that the client may operate the database engine to apply the instructions for making the database table current with the original managed on the server.

A unified messaging system is provided that includes two-way synchronization and replication of messages. The unified messaging system includes a workstation, a voice-mail server, and an e-mail server. The workstation may be a personal computer, for example. The workstation includes an agent to monitor messaging activities within the workstation mailbox. Also, the voice-mail server includes a proxy e-mail client (PEC) to operate and retrieve e-mail messages in the absence of the workstation. In accordance with the system and method of the invention, two-way synchronization and replication is provided. The two-way synchronization and replication operates between the workstation and the voice-mail server. Specifically, the replication operates between the e-mail store, e.g., the mailbox, of the workstation and the voice-mail store of the voice-mail server. The replication duplicates messages in each of the mailbox of the workstation and the voice-mail message store of the voice-mail server. Thus, the voice-mail message store contains both the voice-mail and the e-mail. Further, the e-mail message store contains both the e-mail and the voice-mail.

A local client computer includes a local hypertext server, a local application program, and a downloader for downloading a copy of a remote network document (local copy), that is accessible by the local application program, onto the client computer. When connected to the network, a downloader is executed to create the local copy on the client. When disconnected, the local copy may be accessed and modified through the client browser in a manner that is similar to when the client is connected to the network.

An improved synchronization system and method for copies of data in a computer system. The computer system comprises a cluster, wherein each computer in the cluster may store a local copy of a data set along with a validity flag for the local copy. The computer system further comprises a coupling system which is connected to each of the computers in the cluster through a coupling system interface program, wherein the coupling system is configured to coordinate the data sharing and workload of the cluster. The computer system also comprises an external data storage shared by the computers in the cluster. One of the computers may read a first copy of the data set from a primary data set on the external data storage.

A system and methods for synchronizing information in datasets via a communication medium are provided that are suitable for synchronizing even across communication mediums that are susceptible to high latency, non-FIFO (non-First-In-First-Out) delivery order, or other adverse characteristics.

Novell has developed a new replication management tool that is easy to use and administer, and that optimizes WAN usage and performance. This tool is called Novell Replication Services.

Synchronization of network updates.

DataMirror/400 is a transformational replication tool that lets you move data where and when you need it — from one AS/400 to another, to a Windows NT system running Microsoft SQL Server, or to a Unix machine (HP 9000 or RS/6000) running Oracle. DataMirror/400's transformational capability lets you manipulate data during replication — for instance, you can change the code 01 to the value BACKORDER.