The Microsoft Sync Framework

• Overview of the Microsoft Sync Framework
  
  
  
  • Enabled scenarios, vision, approach
  
  
  • Demo: Prerequisites and Installing
  
  
  
  


• Synchronizing existing endpoints using the Sync Framework


• Exposing data as FeedSync compatible RSS and ATOM feeds

Access to your data on any computer, device, or service across disparate applications.

I was in a story-telling mood yesterday.  I explained that I had just laid my mother to rest, so was interrupted in my preparation.  I sensed sympathy for my situation and no animosity for being under-prepared.

In the course of my preparation, I discovered two quite disparate explanations of the Sync Framework from Microsoft.  The first (which I had studiously prepared) was the offline caching and automatic synchronisation that SQL Server enabled via the Compact Edition.  The second (which was rushed) was the manual coding of new providers and their exception rules via the SDK.

It ended up be a facilitated discussion (is that lazy of me? or is that being dynamic and confident and adaptable?)  Anyway, questions were asked and answered, so feedback was mainly positive.

I was asked “Does the provider enable the use of security credentials and/or encryption?”

From the material I had presented, it appeared that since the protocol could be specified, that therefore if HTTPS was specified, then encryption would be enabled.  Also, as the providers encapsulated callbacks to handle exceptions such as conflict resolution, it is logical to assume that the providers are completely programmable to handle any security (login) requirements.

I promised to look this up.  Here’s the answer:

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=2e9bec3b-9deb-4620-a955-266e656d8fa4&displaylang=en

James Hippolite remembers being 15 in the 5th form at Nelson College, when he sat up one night coding a bio-rhythms application on his newly acquired second-hand Apple IIe.  At 3am, he ran into his mother’s bedroom to excitedly inform her he’d successfully finished.  Her measured response allowed him to continue to feel good about coding.

James holds Microsoft certification as a Professional Developer (MCPD: Web Developer), IT Professional (MCITP: Database Developer) and Trainer (MCT).

He lives in Wellington and is currently employed full time in a large corporate and loving the regular hours that non-consultants enjoy.