This mini-blog is part of a new series that outlines how to get the most out of your Ektron CMS400.NET website functionality. Some entries touch on overall best practices while others discuss specific features.
What is eSync?
ESync is CMS400’s primary methodology for sharing content and files across several sites, servers and networks. It’s replaced the earlier Site Replication technology that provided one way communication, with a multi-directional solution that can be used many different ways.
What’s it Do?
The primary function of eSync is to allow clients to share content and files across development, staging and production environments with the minimal amount of effort. Administrators simply setup the websites and then configure eSync to talk to each other. Because eSync can involve full data transfer or partial items (such as just a single folder or content block), it provides a high level of flexibility that its predecessor couldn’t.
Using eSync for Load Balancing
When it comes to asset load balancing, CMS400’s built-in technology works pretty well. There are some instances though where it’s not the right solution, so we’ve had a handful of clients opt to use eSync to load balance the files. Basically, you setup both sites and schedule the sync to run frequently. While it’s not a true load balance (because data is always updated at the same time), for sites that don’t change often, it’s an option.
Using eSync for Disaster Recovery
Similar to managing a dev/stage/prod environment as outlined above, eSync is great for maintaining a backup or disaster recovery copy of your website. Users simply setup a site either in a backup facility or even on a local server, and then configure eSync to pull down a copy of the site on a set schedule. It’s a great way to have a copy of your site files and database in a second location in case disaster strikes.
Using eSync for Enterprise Deployments
Make no mistake, eSync was created for the enterprise. Global content and file sharing was a primary motivation for its development, so you should always be thinking of ways you can use it to make those processes more efficient. For example, if you’re a Fortune 500 company with a corporate website and 40 regional sites, you can use eSync to take news releases from the corporate site and automatically push them down to the regional sites. If you’re a national association looking to build chapter websites on a shoestring budget, eSync can help deploy these sites quickly and more cost efficiently by sharing functionality developed for one, with all of them. It really allows you to think outside the box.
How’s it Work For You?
So there you have it, the best uses of Ektron CMS400’s eSync technology in just a few short paragraphs. If you are using eSync already, what has your experience been like? Are you using it in one of the methods described above or something completely different? Be sure to share your thoughts below and be on the lookup for the next mini-blog!