Using Microsoft Sync Framework and FeedSync with Neil PadGett - Mix08 Video Download
by David Hayden, Sarasota Web Development
After hearing about the Microsoft Sync Framework in Pablo Castro's presentation on ADO.NET Data Services, ADO.NET Data Services with Pablo Castro - MIX08 Session Video, I couldn't resist watching Neil Padgett's Presentation, Using Microsoft Sync Framework and FeedSync.
One of the very first slides in the Microsoft Sync Presentation really says it all-
"How do I keep a local cache of data in sync with a remote endpoint?"
The idea is that I may not be local to my data. I could be traveling, collaborating with other developers, working with an application offline, or literally want to cache data locally to provide a much more responsive user experience in my application.
The benefits of keeping a local cache, as mentioned by Neil, are:
- Improved application availability
- Improved network utilization
- Lower cost for servers servicing client ( peer-to-peer)
- Leverage the client UI
However, there are some amazing challenges to working with data locally and then somehow sync the data with a remote server that may be the central data repository. As luck would have it, the Microsoft Sync Framework seems to alleviate the tough ones:
- Conflict Detection and Resolution
- Connection and Storage Errors
- Numerous Corner Cases
To support the Microsoft Sync Framework, there needs to be a Sync Provider built to expose the endpoint to the sync framework. During the presentation, Neil showed data synchronization between an Access Database, Outlook Contacts, and Hotmail Contacts. He also discussed how SQL Server Data Services ( SSDS ) will support the Microsoft Sync Framework.
Pablo Castro also demonstrated the ADO.NET Data Services Team thoughts on an "Astoria Offline" scenario for using the Microsoft Sync Framework with ADO.NET Data Services ( previously called Project Astoria ).
The whole concept of the Microsoft Sync Framework is really cool and really useful.
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