DLA correct usage ?

[Luuke]

Hello,

 

I am working in an environment where two different networks coexist without any network connection; to exchange data, we used .zip floppies until last week when we got new hardware.

 

Now we use Sonic DLA so that our operators can easily exchange data between both environments : in fact, you write the files from one network on a CD-RW, which has been formatted as UDF, you eject the CD, load it in the second PC and then import the data. Then you do the opposite when needed (data sent to the DLA drive on computer B, CD-RW is ejected and loaded on computer A, and then data are read/copied).

 

OS is Windows XP SP2, HP workstations, DVD reader/CD-Burner.

 

From time to time we have issues : the CD is not read by one of the computers, you do not see the DLA drive in the Sent To menu, you cannot eject the CD, the computer is blocked... I tried to format one CD on one computer (and burn data to the CD only from the computer where it has been formatted), seems better but always the same issues...

 

Question is : is DLA reliable enough to do such a data transfer ? My feeling would be to use the DLA CD or DVD as another "hard disk", that is mounted and not often dismounted... Or should we use the Windows XP drag and drop feature ?

 

Thanks for your comments.

 

Regards,

 

Luuke

[tbrewst]

They do 2 different things.DLA is a Packet writing application.XP's is a session based writing.With DLA you have to format the discs.With XP you don't.Packet writing is notoriously unstable.You should really only use it for temporary transferring files.Never store anything on it that you need to keep.Session writing is a lot more stable.I think what you're seeing is the inherant problems with Packet writing.

[Larry]

Hello,

 

I am working in an environment where two different networks coexist without any network connection; to exchange data, we used .zip floppies until last week when we got new hardware.

 

Now we use Sonic DLA so that our operators can easily exchange data between both environments : in fact, you write the files from one network on a CD-RW, which has been formatted as UDF, you eject the CD, load it in the second PC and then import the data. Then you do the opposite when needed (data sent to the DLA drive on computer B, CD-RW is ejected and loaded on computer A, and then data are read/copied).

 

OS is Windows XP SP2, HP workstations, DVD reader/CD-Burner.

 

From time to time we have issues : the CD is not read by one of the computers, you do not see the DLA drive in the Sent To menu, you cannot eject the CD, the computer is blocked... I tried to format one CD on one computer (and burn data to the CD only from the computer where it has been formatted), seems better but always the same issues...

 

Question is : is DLA reliable enough to do such a data transfer ? My feeling would be to use the DLA CD or DVD as another "hard disk", that is mounted and not often dismounted... Or should we use the Windows XP drag and drop feature ?

 

Thanks for your comments.

 

Regards,

 

Luuke

As has been suggested, if you are only doing temporary file transfers, it's ok. But as you are experiencing, packet writing software (which DLA is just one brand of) is not the most reliable beast out there, and they are not interchangeable between brands.

 

IMHO, if the pc's have USB connectors, I'd be using jump drives instead (flash drive, thumb drive, pick any of the many names for them). They're much more reliable and convenient.

[Luuke]

As has been suggested, if you are only doing temporary file transfers, it's ok. But as you are experiencing, packet writing software (which DLA is just one brand of) is not the most reliable beast out there, and they are not interchangeable between brands.

 

IMHO, if the pc's have USB connectors, I'd be using jump drives instead (flash drive, thumb drive, pick any of the many names for them). They're much more reliable and convenient.

 

Hi,

 

Thanks for your comments.

 

Problem is, the second environment is secure and no USB device can be used...

We wanted to use DLA because it should have been faster compared with the XP application...

I will do some tests without DLA and see if it is really longer...

 

Thanks a lot for your comments !

 

Luuke