Synchronizing Data Stores by Using Custom Providers
This section of the Sync Framework documentation describes custom synchronization providers. Sync Framework includes providers for several standard synchronization scenarios, but in some situations a custom provider is necessary. Sync Framework includes managed and unmanaged APIs for two types of custom providers: simple custom providers and standard custom providers. Simple providers offer greater speed of development and more intuitive support for data stores that lack sophisticated change tracking mechanisms. Standard providers offer the most flexibility and the highest levels of performance. This section provides an easy-to-follow introduction, and conceptual, how-to, and reference topics that will help you to quickly understand and be productive with both custom provider APIs. The how-to topics contain sample code. Additional samples are available in the Sync Framework SDK and on Code Gallery.
The following topics provide introductory information about Sync Framework. If you are already familiar with these topics, see In this Section and Reference for more information.
Benefits of Using Sync Framework
Describes the benefits of using Sync Framework, including its flexible approach, powerful synchronization model, and productive tools.What's New in Sync Framework 2.1
Describes features that have been added or enhanced in this version of Sync Framework.Selecting the Appropriate Sync Framework Components
Helps you to find the correct component to use for your synchronization scenario, and describes the Sync Framework architecture.Installation, Redistribution, and Version Compatibility
Describes the installation packages that install Sync Framework and how those installation packages can be redistributed with applications that use Sync Framework.
In This Section
Custom Provider Fundamentals
Describes the basics of using custom providers to synchronize data, and which scenarios are appropriate for simple providers and standard providers. Describes how the metadata, providers, and session work together to achieve synchronization.Implementing a Simple Custom Provider
Describes the types of data stores that simple providers are designed for, and discusses important features such as filtering and conflict handling.Implementing a Standard Custom Provider
Describes the tasks that are required of a synchronization provider, and provides links to topics that show how to create a standard custom provider.Implementing a Synchronization Application
Describes the tasks that are required of a synchronization application, and provides links to topics that show how to create a simple application.Sync Framework Samples
Describes the samples that are provided with Sync Framework.
Reference
Microsoft.Synchronization and Microsoft.Synchronization.SimpleProviders
Provides reference topics for the managed classes, interfaces, and data types in Sync Framework.Sync Framework Unmanaged API Reference
Provides reference topics for the unmanaged interfaces, functions, and data types in Sync Framework.