This article gives you an overview of how sync works in Microsoft OneDrive. It helps you understand the logic behind how information flows between applications, how the technologies work together, and how data is secured.
The OneDrive sync app uses Windows Push Notification Services (WNS) to sync files in real time. WNS informs the sync app whenever a change actually happens, eliminating redundant polling and saving on unnecessary computing power.
Here's how it works:
A change occurs in Microsoft 365.
WNS alerts the sync app of the change.
OneDrive adds it to the Internal Server Changes Queue.
Any metadata changes happen immediately, like renaming or deleting files.
Downloading content also starts a specific session with the client.
Microsoft 365 has metadata pointers directing it through Microsoft Azure.
The changes are processed in the order they're received.
The previous OneDrive sync app (Groove.exe) used a polling service to check for changes on a predetermined schedule. Polling can lead to system lag and slowness because it requires a significant amount of computing power. Using WNS is a significant enhancement.
Authentication protocols
The authentication protocols depend on which version of SharePoint you're using.
SharePoint Server 2019 uses NTLM.
SharePoint in Microsoft 365 uses FedAuth.
Syncing different file types
OneDrive handles sync differently depending on the type of file.
For Office 2016 and Office 2019 files, OneDrive collaborates directly with the specific apps to ensure data are transferred correctly. If the Office desktop app is running, it handles the syncing. If it isn't running, OneDrive will.
For other types of files and folders, items smaller than 8 MB are sent inline in a single HTTPS request. Anything 8 MB or larger is divided into file chunks and sent separately one at a time through a Background Intelligent Transfer Service (BITS) session. Other changes are batched together into HTTPS requests to the server.
The underlying technologies
The OneDrive sync app uses the following to sync files:
To find new changes and upload information: https://<tenant_name, i.e. contoso>-my.sharepoint.com/personal/<user_contoso_onmicrosoft_com>/_api/SPFileSync/sync/<default document library ID GUID>/
To download items: https://<tenant_name, i.e. contoso>-my.sharepoint.com/personal/<user_contoso_onmicrosoft_com>/_layouts/15/download.aspx
To discover the sites and organizations a user can access: https://odc.officeapps.live.com/odc/servicemanager/userconnected
Security and encryption
File chunks are stored in multiple containers in Azure, each of which is given a unique key. Each key is required to reassemble the complete file. There's also a separate master key encrypting each file chunk key, ensuring the data remain secure even when not moving.
Performance issues can occur if you have more than 300,000 items, even if you are not syncing all items. If you are uploading, downloading, or moving a large number of files at once, you may need to wait an extended period of time before the sync process can complete.
If you're using Microsoft 365, you can create a site from the SharePoint start page, and it automatically creates a Microsoft 365 group. If you create a Microsoft 365 group in Outlook or People, you automatically get a team site in SharePoint in Microsoft 365.
Sync, short for synchronization, refers to the process of ensuring that the data on two or more devices is consistent and up to date. In other words, synchronization involves making sure that the same files and information are available on all devices that are being synced.
When you set up synchronization between a cloud service and a desktop device, behind the scenes, the OneDrive app runs on your desktop and automatically keeps your files in sync. Most importantly, you can access and manage the files on your desktop, even when you are offline.
If SharePoint sync seems to be stuck for a long time or the status shows "Processing 0KB of xMB" it could be because you have a lot of files in your SharePoint or a lot of new files to be uploaded. If you have more than 100,000 files, sync can take a long time.
This question may be more on the AD side, so I looked up the relevant documentation for AD connection synchronization. The article mentions that the sync cycle runs every 30 minutes. That is,the default sync frequency is 30 minutes and allows for some customization.
Scroll down to Connections from sites to Office 365 groups section and choose Prevent site collection administrators from connecting sites to new Office 365 groups option.
SharePoint Online is a cloud version of SharePoint Server that supports multi-tenancy. The former is part of Office 365, which was recently renamed to Microsoft 365. However, the versions and build numbers are not mentioned in the product name, unlike SharePoint Server and Microsoft Office on-premises.
Organizations use Microsoft SharePoint to create websites. You can use it as a secure place to store, organize, share, and access information from any device.
To check the status of your files, add an account, or manage other sync settings, select the blue OneDrive cloud icon in the Windows notification area.
However, adding OneDrive shortcuts allows content to be accessed on all devices, whereas sync is related to a specific device. Additionally, OneDrive shortcuts offer improved performance versus using the sync button. We recommend using OneDrive shortcuts as the more versatile option.
The OneDrive sync app uses Windows Push Notification Services (WNS) to sync files in real time. WNS informs the sync app whenever a change actually happens, eliminating redundant polling and saving on unnecessary computing power.
On the Manage Profile Service page, in the Synchronization section, click Configure Synchronization Settings. On the Configure Synchronization Settings page, in the Synchronization Options section, select the Use SharePoint Active Directory Import option, and then click OK.
You can now copy or move files from your computer to SharePoint in Microsoft 365 right from your file system. Save space on your device by making files online-only. These files are only available when you're connected to the Internet, but don't take up space on your computer.
Introduction: My name is Dan Stracke, I am a homely, gleaming, glamorous, inquisitive, homely, gorgeous, light person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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