Publishing Replication Swaps Data Between Files During Automatic Replication (275595)



The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Site Server 3.0

This article was previously published under Q275595

SYMPTOMS

When you replicate files that have long file names and the same first seven characters, the contents of the files may be swapped. This may also occur when you upload content to the source system if the file names contain the same first eight characters and file extension.

CAUSE

When two files are written to the source system that have long file names and the same first seven characters, the short (8-character name with 3-character extension, or 8.3) file names are written to copy the files. However, because the files are written in alphabetical order on the destination system during replication, the 8.3 file names differ between the destination system and the source system. When users edit the files on the source system through the 8.3 file name, the file is replicated by its 8.3 file name instead of its long file name; thus, the content on the destination system is modified. This problem occurs during automatic (or constant) replication.

RESOLUTION

There are two workarounds to this problem:
  • If automatic replication is required, disable short file name generation.For additional information, click the article number below to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

    210638 How to Disable Automatic Short File Name Generation

  • Use scheduled replications instead of automatic replication.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in Microsoft Site Server version 3.0.

MORE INFORMATION

When users edit documents through the 8.3 file extension, the ChangeNotify function initiates the replication through the 8.3 file name. Because the 8.3 file names for a long file name on the source and destination systems may differ, the contents of a file on the destination system that shares the 8.3 name of another file on the destination system may be overwritten. This occurs when you enable automatic replication, which replicates the files as changes occur.

Steps to Reproduce Behavior

  1. In the Site Server wizard, create a project that replicates when content changes from a folder on the source system to a folder on the destination system.
  2. Start the replication.
  3. Create three test files in a separate Temp folder, and name them so that each of the files shares its file name with contents in the file:

    Document100.txt
    Document200.txt
    Document300.txt

  4. Arrange the files so that the Document200.txt file is copied first.
  5. Copy (and do not move) the files over to the folder that is being replicated. After the replication occurs, the 8.3 file names are different between the source and destination systems.
  6. On the source system, open Notepad, and edit one of the files by using its 8.3 file name. Save the changes with its 8.3 file name.
  7. The replication changes the content on the file with the wrong long file name but corrent short file name. The content is swapped.

Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:12/3/2000
Keywords:kbbug KB275595