[MovedGoalPosts]

In Windows controlled networks, with Win 2K Proor Win XP Pro PCs and Win 2000 /2003 server environments Synchronised files and roaming profiles are two different things.

Roaming profiles are generally controlled by the server set policies. Essentially each user has a folder somewhere on the server, that contains almost a complet copy of everything in the user's workstation (or laptop) documents and setting's folder. When you log on / log off the server tries to send the latest, or receive the latest version of that folder. From an IT admin point of view that's bad news. If someone has a large My documents,, or other folders the whole thing might have to be uploaded / downloaded each log on / off.

Synchronised files are generally controlled by the computer. At the specified times, usually log on / off the worksation will try to update the latest copy of the file either from that residing on a network based computer, or on the local computer. Again, if you have a lot of files, this isn't very good due to the time needed to check and transfer numeroud files.

In these days of modern networked environments. Remote workers should be encouraged to use VPN, or even log into their companies own intranet systems to shift just the data they need.