Roaming Profiles Over WAN Link Overwrite Profiles on Server

• Microsoft Windows NT Server version 4.0
• Microsoft Windows NT Workstation version 4.0

SYMPTOMS

When you access roaming profiles across a wide area network (WAN) link, the default user profile may overwrite the roaming profile stored on the remote server.

CAUSE

This behavior can occur if Windows NT is unable to connect to the remote server on which the roaming profile is stored during logon. When the Windows NT session is ended, if the remote server is then available, the local profile is used to update the roaming profile.

RESOLUTION

Accessing roaming profiles across a WAN link is not recommended. This configuration may cause increased network traffic and issues with profile synchronization. If you must use roaming profiles, use one of the following methods:

• If users do not change remote offices, assign profiles in User Manger to a local computer using a UNC name. For example:

        \\Server\Profiles\Username
  

• If users change remote locations frequently, store the roaming profiles locally and use directory replication with import and export servers to keep the profiles synchronized across remote sites. You may also want to consider copying the profiles to all computers.
• Implement mandatory profiles.

STATUS

There is no way to prevent Windows NT from copying a newly created locally cached user profile to the remotely stored profile.

This feature is under review and will be considered for inclusion in a future release of Windows NT.

MORE INFORMATION

When a user account is configured to use roaming profiles in Windows NT Workstation 4.0, if at logon the computer is unable to contact the server on which the profiles are stored, the locally cached profile is used. If no locally cached profile is present, the default user profile is copied and used as the locally cached profile.

When the user logs off, Windows NT attempts to close all network connections and attempts to save the profile to the remote server. If a connection is established with the remote server, the profile assigned to the user (a copy of the default user profile) overwrites the remotely stored profile. Windows NT checks the remote profile's date and time stamp and compares it to the local profile. Because the local profile assigned to the user has a newer date and time stamp, it overwrites the remote profile.