RoamingProfilesSync
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Launchpad entry: https://features.launchpad.net/distros/ubuntu/+spec/roaming-profiles
Packages affected:
Summary
A system for Roaming Profiles, whether stored on a file server or on removable media, that will synchronize user data to the working /home directory upon login/logout.
Rationale
Ubuntu needs a good way of managing user settings and data when that information does not reside permanently on the system or when mounting the filesystem that contains that information is not desirable. A roaming profile system which "caches" the information for use and then syncs the cache to the permanent storage medium would provide a robust solution.
Use cases
Gadi plugs his USB drive into a terminal at his local public library. He is authenticated by the system and his "profile" is sync'd from the USB drive to his /home directory on the library's Ubuntu system. After making changes to his desktop background and his resume, he logs off and his changes are sync'd back to his USB drive. On his home Windows PC, he continues to work on his documents. The next day, he goes to another branch of the library and is able to plug in his USB drive and bring up his "profile" on their Ubuntu system.
Jim is the IT director of his school, which has five application servers and one file server which stores all of the users' /home directories. When one of the students, Jane, logs into application server 1, her "profile" is copied to the application server's hard drive. A loss of connectivity between the application server and the file server does not impact her session.
Scope
Design
Implementation
Code
Data preservation and migration
Unresolved issues