I am learning about Server 2003 (currently reading Server 2003 for Dummies), and am still stuck on a few concepts. I understand that the Server products support roaming profiles so that users can log on from any computer and have the same favorites, desktop, etc. This makes sense for desktops, but how does that work when users are on a laptop and not able to connect to the domain? -Ryan Adams http://RyanTAdams.com

The roaming profiles will use the cached copy on the local system when the network is not available. A error message will be displayed on logon when no network is avaliable. Pure roaming profiles is quite expensive on network usage. That's why most people use Roaming profiles and Folder Redirection. Folder Redirection takes some of the load off everything in the Documents and Settings location and faster logon to new machines. You can configure Folder Redirection through Group Policy. If the network is not avaliable for the Folder Redirection, the Clients' Sync-Manager will handle going offline. In any case, the user has to be on the network the first time they login. In the case of Folder Redirection, you will want to wait untill all of the clients files have been synced before going offline. Questions?