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Synchronizing with Network HotSync®
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Network HotSync is free software from Palm Computing that allows Palm organizers to synchronize across a network. It also allows synchronization over wireless protocols. For small workgroups (typically under 30 users), Network HotSync often provides a more manageable way to configure synchronization for Pendragon Forms. |
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With Network HotSync, there's no need to install Pendragon Forms on each workstation. Instead, Pendragon Forms and Network HotSync are installed on a "Primary PC", located somewhere on your network. Network HotSync is installed on each workstation so that, when a user starts a HotSync at any workstation, the connection is routed to the Primary PC where the synchronization will take place.
The advantages of this approach are:
Centralized administration of Pendragon Forms. Pendragon Forms is installed only on one PC.
Faster synchronization over wide area networks. Since the synchronization occurs on the Primary PC, the only data moving on the network is the 56Kbps stream of data being used by the handheld device. With standard HotSync, several megabytes of your Access database may be copied across the network during synchronization.
Improved database file security. Users need not be able to see the Access database they are synchronizing with.
The synchronization software is free!
However, Network HotSync has several limitations:
Only one user can synchronize at a time. This limits the number of users per Primary PC to about 30 to avoid contention for sync time.
Performance over wireless and dialup connections is generally poor.
You may find that you want to synchronize built-in applications as well as Pendragon Forms on your Primary PC. Palm OS allows handheld users to switch between Network and Local HotSync modes, but users may need to be trained to switch between the two modes regularly.
To synchronize with Network HotSync, you will need to download either the latest Palm Desktop software or the Network HotSync update from the Palm Computing Support home page at http://www.palmone.com/us/support/hotsync.html. To see if you already have the required software, click on the HotSync icon in your Task Tray at the bottom right of your PC screen. If the popup menu has a Network option, you already have the required software.
You will also need to have TCP/IP networking installed on your PC. In general, if you have Internet access on your PC, you already have TCP/IP installed.
The first step is to setup your HotSync Manager for network synchronization. To do this, click on the HotSync icon in your Task Tray at the bottom right of your PC screen. A popup menu will appear. Choose Setup. Go to the Network tab and click on the TCP/IP Settings... button. Make a note of your PC's machine name and IP address.
After closing the Setup dialog, click on the HotSync icon in the Task Tray again, and choose Network to enable network synchronization.
Note: You will also need to install Network HotSync software on all of your workstations, but do not check the Network option on these installations.
Setting Up the Handheld for Network Sync
Click on the applications button on the handheld to see the list of applications.
Click on the HotSync icon to open the HotSync application. Click on the menu. You will see menu options for several option screens:
Then click OK. Click on the menu silk screen and select Primary PC Setup... :
Enter the Primary PC name and address as was shown on the TCP/IP Settings dialog in your HotSync Manager.
Using Network HotSync with a Modem
To synchronize Network HotSync via a modem (e.g., via the Internet or via your company Remote Access Server (RAS)), you will need to setup your Modem/Network Settings.
First click Modem Sync Prefs... Select Network:
This tells the handheld to try to connect to your Primary PC using TCP/IP instead of the normal Modem HotSync. Click OK, then return to the menu and choose the Modem Setup... screen.
Choose the modem you plan to use.
Finally, you will need to select a service profile.
On the HotSync main screen, tap the Select Service selector under the Modem Sync icon.
Tap on the word Service and choose your ISP, or the parameters needed to connect to your service provider, then click Done.
Now you are ready to synchronize your handheld. To do this, simply go to a workstation, place the handheld in the cradle and press the HotSync button.
If you can see the Primary PC, you should see the HotSync screen come up on the Primary PC as you synchronize.
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