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Perform Synchronization via Remote Access Server With Your Windows CE-based Device

by Steve Seroshek

For the past couple of years, one of the highlights of using a Microsoft^® Windows^® CE-powered device has been maintaining data that is "in sync" on both your Windows CE-based device and Windows-based desktop PC. With the first version of Windows CE, you could only perform synchronization via serial cable. This was very limiting.

However, with the advent of the Handheld PC and Palm-size PC powered by Windows CE 2.0 and the introduction of ActiveSync™ technology, synchronization is much more flexible. Now you can synchronize via infrared connection, modem, Ethernet card, and even Remote Access Service (RAS). In this article, we'll examine the steps to follow if you want to use ActiveSync via RAS.

RAS: A Typical Scenario

Many Handheld PC and Palm-size PC users work in a corporate environment. A typical scenario for a corporate user is to use a desktop PC at the office and a Windows CE-based device on the road. While traveling, a user will most commonly update calendar and contacts, add tasks to his or her to-do list, mark other activities as complete, edit documents, and answer e-mail messages. Meanwhile, the desktop computer will continue to download new incoming mail, and other Outlook information.

While on the road, the user may choose to combine his or her data on the desktop PC with the data on the Windows CE-based device, and vice versa. In order to get the same information in both places, synchronization will need to be done.

In large corporations, a dial-up RAS connection is frequently provided so that mobile users can access network resources from a remote location. On a Windows CE-based device, connecting via RAS is very similar to connecting to an Internet Service Provider (ISP). You will need to create a remote-networking connection with your corporate RAS settings. For specific settings and requirements, you should contact the Information Technology (IT) group within your company.

When attempting to synchronize via RAS connection, several issues need to be addressed. The Windows CE-based device remembers the names of the machines with which it last synchronized. So, in order for synchronization via RAS to take place, the work machine that you want to synchronize with must be turned on and connected to the corporate network. You also need to make a remote networking connection for RAS. Finally, depending on your company's security policies, you may need to be granted access to use RAS on the corporate network.

Once this is done and you've received the information necessary to complete a RAS connection, follow these steps to connect:

1. Create a RAS connection. From the Start menu, open Programs, Communication, Remote Networking (or Connections on the Palm-size PC). Double tap Make New Connection. Name your connection, select Dial-Up Connection, and then press Next. Configure your modem (if necessary) and use the information from your IT department to set up the TCP/IP Settings for a remote connection for RAS. (If this information is dynamically assigned when you dial in, you may be able to accept the defaults.) Tap Next. Finally, enter the phone number for your RAS connection and press the Finish button.

2. Launch the ActiveSync application on your Windows CE-based device. This is found on the Start menu under Programs, Communication.

3. You will now see a window titled "ActiveSync." In the first dropdown box, select the type of connection. In this case, choose the RAS connection you created and named in Step 1.

4. In the second box, you will see the name of the machine with which the Windows CE-based device last synchronized. If it's not the name you're looking for, select the correct machine from the dropdown list.

5. Once you've selected the proper settings, click the Connect button. You may see a remote networking window. If so, enter the appropriate information and click Connect. The Windows CE-based device will then dial the number specified in your RAS connection settings. Once you are authenticated by the RAS server, the system will automatically launch the ActiveSync software on the desktop machine, which will scan both systems and determine if there are any items out of date. The software will notify you if there are items that are out of date and give you the option to Sync Now or Disconnect. If you opt to Sync Now, the software will synchronize the data on both the desktop PC and Handheld PC. The Disconnect button will terminate the process without synchronizing.

Things to Know

In order for synchronization via RAS to work, you must have a Windows-based PC ready to synchronize and connected to the corporate network. You do not need to leave the Mobile Devices window open. You should check to be sure the ActiveSync icon is visible in the lower right-hand corner of the desktop PC's taskbar (see Screen 1). By default, this software should load whenever you start your PC. When this icon is showing, the machine will detect when a device is trying to connect and automatically synchronize using ActiveSync.

Screen 1: The ActiveSync icon should be visible on the taskbar of your desktop PC.

You must first partner with your computer via serial connection before attempting to connect via RAS. Also, you should know the machine name for your computer in which you wish to synchronize with. This is important to the synchronization process. You set this information in the Identification tab of the Network control panel on your Windows-based PC. The device stores this name when the partnership is first established. When you launch the ActiveSync application on your Windows CE-based device, it displays the name of the machine with which you last synchronized. Whenever the device connects to a partner computer, it updates the computer name -- even if the computer name has changed.

With the several options available, Windows CE device synchronization can be done from just about any location -- whether in or out of the office. Remember, remote synchronization is ideal for users who have both a desktop PC connected to a corporate network with RAS capabilities and a Handheld PC or Palm-size PC that is used as a source of information and a tool for processing it while away from the desktop PC.

With this combination, synchronization via RAS may just be the best option.