Difference Between Roaming Profile and Folder Redirection

[Appletax]

I've search around Google for this info and everything I come across just does not make sense.

Here's my understanding of roaming profiles and folder redirection:
- With both, the user's data is stored on the local workstation and a copy of the data is stored on a server share. The data is everything in the user's profile (pictures, music, docs, etc.).
- With both, any updated data is copied to the user's profile when they login, so an entire copy is not needed (except when logging in for the first time on a system).

They both keep the data on the server and they both allow the data to move to any computer. So what the heck is the difference? They both work exactly the same!

I created a roaming profile for a user and their wallpaper and picture did not get copied to another workstation I logged into. However, they did when I setup folder redirection. That leads me to believe that roaming profiles don't actually store any user data.

Sooooo confusing

 

[mikeroq]

Roaming profiles store the complete profile on the server and is synced to the computer. Folder redirection just stores whichever folders you specifiy (docs, pics, music, desktop, appdata, etc) on the server unless offline files are enabled. You can use roaming profiles and folder redirection together to lighten the load by keeping the big stuff (docs, pics, etc) on the server only.

 

[Appletax]

Roaming profiles store the complete profile on the server and is synced to the computer. Folder redirection just stores whichever folders you specifiy (docs, pics, music, desktop, appdata, etc) on the server unless offline files are enabled. You can use roaming profiles and folder redirection together to lighten the load by keeping the big stuff (docs, pics, etc) on the server only.

This is the same info I find online, but it just sounds confusing. Both features save the data onto the server. Are you saying that folder redirection ONLY stores the data on the server and that no data is kept on the local workstation unless offline files is enabled (which makes it just like roaming profiles)?

With folder redirection, I work with the data that is on the server. For example, when I open a file (e.g. Word, Excel) that file is placed into RAM from the server so that I can edit it. It's never saved onto the local system. When I save the file, it gets saved ONLY on the server.

It's like network attached storage. This would make sense because the files would not be downloaded when I log in. What I see are essentially shortcuts. When I see a photo it is just a shortcut to that photo, which is actually on the server.

Also, if roaming profiles are supposed to store the user's data and copy it down to the local system, then why did my picture not show up in the pictures folder on a different workstation? It worked with folder redirection.

 

[cyabro]

The way I see it Roaming Profiles are the old way of doing things and Folder Redirection is the new way.

Roaming Profiles have to be copied from the server to the workstation you are logging into and also copied back to the server when you log out.
No transfer is going on while you are logged in and using the workstation.
As far as I know the whole profile is transferred backwards and forwards every time, not just new or changed files.
If the user has a big profile, with lots of data, logging in and out can take a very long time and the PC can't be used while this is going on.
I'm not sure what happens if you have roaming profile and the server where your profile is stored isn't available when you try and log in.

Folder Redirection is a sync so when you log in you don't have to wait for the folders to be copied from the server, unless you've never logged into that particular workstation before.
While you are working on the workstation the sync for the redirected folders is going on in the background all the time, as long as the server is available.
Only new or changed files have to be sync'd back to the server.
With folder redirection, if the server with your redirected folders isn't available, you can still log into your workstation, if you've logged into it in the past, and when the server comes back online the sync process will kick in automatically.

 

[YeOldeStonecat]

Roaming Profile is many things about the users profile, to give a similar desktop experience no matter which computer they log into. This includes application preferences, web cached credentials, 1/2 of the registry (HKCU), lots of stuff. It's basically what's inside C:\Users\<USERNAME> folder....including what's hidden.

Large profiles led to loooonnnngggg login periods...and logging of too.

Redirect folders...you get to cherry pick what folders you want. I typically just do the My Documents folder. However a combination of (Since Vista), and (Server 2008).....default GPOs and how the User Library has evolved...has led to Folder Redirections being a substitute for roaming profile...minus the application preferences (HKCU). The important data can easily be saved. And with the improved offline files...you don't get the bog down of login/logoff you have with roaming profiles. Not that folder redirection slowed down login much anyways...was just a different location and the My Documents folder was just a shortcut to \\servername\users\<username>\docs

 

[mr m]

Also, if roaming profiles are supposed to store the user's data and copy it down to the local system, then why did my picture not show up in the pictures folder on a different workstation?

Check the RDP settings for the client. Wallpaper is probably disable.

 

[Appletax]

I think this may be the answer I've been looking for:

- Both store the user's profile on a network share
- Both keep the user's data on the local system (folder redirect uses offline files by default)
-- However, folder redirection lets you specify what to backup.
- With folder redirection enabled, the contents it stores are no longer part of the roaming profile

**** Do the folders that are not backup up using folder redirection get backed up with the roaming profile?


**The main advantage for folder redirection is that it makes logging on and off faster by keeping the data in sync with the server share (roaming profile waits 'til the beginning and end to download or upload the changed data).

The user logs on fast and then the server replicates the data in the background using offline files (caching) rather than make the user wait for the whole profile and its contents to load before using the system.

The other main advantage is that the data on the server share can be backed up and placed back onto a new workstation or one that had the OS nuked.







I'm studying for the MCSA Windows 8 exam and the book I'm reading makes almost no distinction between the two features. They sound like they're the same exact thing. Major fail!!

- Roaming user profile is a copy of a local user profile that is stored on a shared folder on the network, making it accessible from anywhere on the network. It merges any changes with the local user profile to the server during the log off process.

- Folder redirection is simply a means of storing a copy of CERTAIN user profile folders on another computer, usually a file server.

The only difference is that I can cherry pick the folders. It doesn't even tell me how the process of folder redirection works when the user logs in and off. It doesn't even explain that it uses offline files or talk about the reduced log in and log off times.

 

[Appletax]

Using offline files (caching) makes folder redirection very similar to roaming profiles because they both store data locally.

It would make sense if folder redirection didn't use offline files at all because it would reduce network traffic.

It makes distinguishing between the two more difficult.

They both store data on the server share and copy it back down. GRRR


Is this the #1 thing that I need to remember: folder redirection makes log on and log off times faster by not making the user wait for their profile changes to load and it allows the user's data to be backed up by the server.

 

[Appletax]

Bump

 

[YeOldeStonecat]

Bump

Still have a question?
Roaming profile...stored on server....contains user 'n application preferences, slow login/logoff, not good for huge profiles.
Redirected folders...just gets the specific folders in the library (docs/music/pictures/downloads/favorites.) you can select which you want or not....lives on the server, but beginning with XP..and getting much better with Win7...can sync via offline files so workstation doesn't xperience hiccup if server is offline/rebooting).

 

[mikeroq]

This is how I understand it.

Roaming profiles:
The entire user profile, ("c:\users\XXXX") is copied to the workstation upon user logon. When the user logs off, the entire profile is copied back to the server.

Pros:

• End user is presented with all their settings, wallpaper, etc creating a familiar environment
• End user has access to all their files no matter what workstation they use

Cons:

• The entire profile has to be transferred over the network upon logon/logoff
• Users will large profiles will suffer from a long wait

Folder redirection:
Folders that are redirected reside on the server, or other location, the rest of the user profile is stored locally like normal. The user logs on and offline files sync.

Pros:

• All the end users files that are redirected are stored safely on the server
• If everyones data is on the server, it can be easily backed up.
• User does not have to wait for their profile to download/upload.
• Files will by synced with the workstation after logon for offline access. Usefull for laptops.

Cons:

• User does not have all their settings or customizations outside of their main workstation

Folder redirection + Roaming profiles:
The entire profile minus what you set to redirect (docs, pics, music, desktop, app data, etc) are stored on the server, the rest of the profile is copied to the workstation upon logon. When the user logs off, copied back. By redirecting the big folders, this greatly reduces the time it takes to log in and log off.
Pros:

• Best of both worlds
• Redirection of major folders reduces profile size allowing for faster logon/logoff
• The users settings and customizations are available on each workstation
• Everyone is happy?

Cons:

• No coffee break when you log on?

Roaming profiles roam between machines.
Folder redirection keeps the files in a static location.