Configuring Offline File Access

Windows XP Professional supports mobile users by providing offline file access. When configured, offline file access copies files stored on the network computer to cache storage on the user's laptop computer, allowing the users to continue working with the files when they are on the road.

Clicking on the Caching button when setting up a new share displays the Caching Settings dialog, as shown in Figure 19.16, where the following configurations are available:

• Manual caching of documents. Forces users to configure offline access to files from their computer

• Automatic caching of documents. Allows client computers to automatically download files into offline cache

• Automatic caching of programs and documents. Allows client computers to automatically download executable programs and files into offline cache

Figure 19.16: Configuring offline file access

Note 

Offline file access must also be configured on users' computers. For more information on how this is done, refer to "Offline Files" in Chapter 15, "Supporting Mobile Users."