The Layer2 Cloud Connector can solve many issues of the SharePoint & Office 365 file share synchronization. It overcomes the limitations of the number of files, file names, file types and others. It also allows to sync to library folders.

1. 30.03.2015 1
Office 365 and
SharePoint
Local File Share
Synchronization
Frank Daske
Business Development Manager
Layer2
The Layer2 Cloud Connector can close many gaps and overcome limitations with Office 365 local file share synchronization

2. Who is Layer2?
 As a Microsoft Gold Certified Partner and ISV based in
Hamburg (Germany), Layer2 is one of the leading providers of
Microsoft SharePoint, Office 365 and Azure apps in Europe
with a major focus on Data Integration, Collaborative
Knowledge Management, Social Networking and Cloud.
 Layer 2 has also been known as a reliable partner to customers
in Central Europe, offering additional consulting and services in
the fields of SharePoint, .NET programming and IT
infrastructure for more than 20 years.
30.03.2015 Layer2 is one of the leading providers of Microsoft SharePoint and Office 365 apps in Europe 2

3. Office 365 local file share sync issues solved by Layer2
30.03.2015 The Layer2 Cloud Connector can solve all the issues above 3
How to centrally
manage the
client side syncs?
How to overcome
the sync
limitations of
5.000 / 20.000
files?
How to solve
SharePoint file
path length
issues?
How to centrally
sync my server file
share to O365?
How to sync
forbidden file
types or empty
files?
How to solve
different file name
conventions of
Windows and
SharePoint?
How to sync to
SharePoint library
target folders?

4. What is the SharePoint Cloud Connector?
 Layer2 Cloud Connector can connect and sync native SharePoint / Office 365 /
OneDrive for Business lists and libraries directly to almost any external data
source codeless, one- or two-way, including local server file shares.
 All SharePoint features are available as usual for your your local files, e.g. Office
Online, views, search, metadata, alerts and even workflows, to take business
actions in SharePoint, when local documents are changed.
 The Cloud Connector simplifies your SharePoint architecture, increases end
user performance and availability, overcomes limitations and solves many
issues that still exists with the SharePoint out-of-the-box data integration via
BCS (for lists) and OneDrive for Business (for libraries) today.
 The Cloud Connector runs as a Windows Management application (MMC) and
Windows Service on any Windows server or client, safely within the corporate
network. No access to your files from outside is required. No data transfer to 3rd
parties.
 Supports SharePoint 2010, 2013, SharePoint Foundation, Office 365 and
SharePoint Online (all plans), OneDrive for Business.
30.03.2015 The Layer2 Cloud Connector makes ALL native SharePoint features available for external data 4

5. • Runs locally on any Windows Server
or Windows 7/8 client
• Connection management
• Data synchronization
• Scheduled or on-demand sync
• Logging, reporting, alerting
Cloud Connector
How does it all work?
30.03.2015 The Layer2 Cloud Connector operates safely inside the corporate network. No data access from outside required. 5
Local Server File Share Data Access Providers
SharePoint Client
Side Object Model
(CSOM) Web Services
HTTPS / SSL
Windows AD
Claims-based (FBA)
Office 365 Standard
ADFS (Federated), etc.
Secure Data Transfer
SharePoint / Office 365 / OneDrive 4B
Layer2 Data Provider for File Systems
Other providers on demand

6. What else can be connected to SharePoint or
Office 365 via Layer2 Cloud Connector
 Databases with existing ODBC / OLEDB / OData or other .NET based drivers
(32-bit / 64-bit), e.g. SQL Server, SQL Azure, Oracle, IBM DB2, Informix, AS/400,
MySQL and many more.
 File Content like Microsoft Office Excel, Access, XML, CSV or other text files etc.
 File System (to sync with SharePoint libraries)
 Applications like Exchange, Active Directory, SharePoint, etc.
 ERP / CRM / DMS / ECMS systems like Navision, SAP, MS Dynamics, etc.
 Cloud-based systems like Salesforce, SharePoint Online, CRM Online, Google,
Twitter, Facebook, any RSS or other XML-based web requests, etc.
 More data sources via 3rd party provider and gateways.
30.03.2015 Almost any data source can be connected to SharePoint via Business Data List Connector 6

7. Cloud Connector File Sync – Why we made it.
30.03.2015 The Cloud Connector can close many gaps that still exists with OOB Office 365 file synchronization 7
Features Sync with Layer2 Cloud Connector
Sync with Microsoft OneDrive
for Business Sync Client
​SharePoint 2007 / WSS 3.0 No​ No
SharePoint 2010 and Foundation Yes No
​SharePoint 2013 and Foundation ​Yes ​Yes
SharePoint Online / Office 365 ​Yes Yes​
​OneDrive for Business ​Yes Yes​
​Central Administration, flexible Logging, Reporting, Alerting ​Yes ​No
​Server-to-Server Sync ​Yes ​No
Works with any Office 365 Plan ​Yes ​No
​Unlimited amount of files Yes (> 5.000 / 20.000 files) No (< 5.000 / 20.000 files)
​Any source drive or folder supported e.g. file server shares ​Yes No​
​Replication conflict solution strategies (e.g. one entity wins) ​Yes No​
​On demand sync / scheduled sync ​Yes No​
​One-way sync Yes​ ​No
Two-way sync ​Yes Yes​
​No-delete option ​Yes No​
​No-insert option Yes​ ​No
​No-update option ​Yes ​No
​Filter on file share, e.g. for name, type, date etc. Yes No​
List view support on SharePoint ​Yes ​No
​Flexible column mapping ​Yes No​
​Sync file metadata only to lists(without the file content) Yes​ ​No
​Sync to specific target folders in a SharePoint library ​Yes No​
​File name convention issues solved Yes (Name modified automatically) ​No
​File path length issues solved Yes (Path shortened automatically) No​
​Forbidden file types, empty files managed Yes​ (Auto-Zipped) ​No
​Can sync not only files but also almost any other data Yes (e.g. SQL databases, Exchange, Dynamics etc.) ​No

8. Installation & Setup
 Register, download & unzip
 Select between 32-bit or 64-bit installation depending
on requirements (current hardware and OS, providers
to support).
 Use the installer: start setup.msi.
 Run as admin, if required.
 Accept license agreement.
 Select typical installation.
 Accept changes to computer.
 Install the Cloud Connector components and
additional data providers.
 Press “Finish” to exit and start Connection Manager.
 You can upgrade, repair or uninstall at any time using
the installer again.
30.03.2015 The Cloud Connector can be easily installed. 8

9. What is installed?
 Connection Manager (64-Bit or 32-Bit) to
manage your connections.
 Start and Stop Cloud Connector Service to
operate the Windows service for automatic
background updates.
 Start Synchronization Manually for debug
and specific requirements only.
 Cookie Manager required to support very
specific authentication features.
 Folder access to samples, documentation,
connections, license, log files etc.
 Uninstall link.
 Layer2 Data Providers (including for file
sync)
30.03.2015 The Cloud Connector can be easily installed. 9

10. The Connection Service
 Layer2 Cloud Connector Service is installed
as a Windows service.
 This service automatically executes enabled
connections defined with the Connection
Manager in background as scheduled.
 You can operate directly in Server Manager
> Services or via Connection Manager.
 Make sure that the service is running to
synchronize any connection in background.
 Make sure that the service has access to
your file share.
30.03.2015 The Cloud Connector can be easily installed. 10

11. How to create a connection?
 Start the Connection Manager (Windows
Start Menu)
 To create a new connection please copy the
existing sample connection that best fits
your requirements, e.g. Sample File System
to SharePoint. Click right and select
“Duplicate Connection”.
 Rename and modify the new connection as
required.
 In case of a Personal Edition please note
that you can have only one connection
leftover. Remove all others before
executing.
 No such limitations with the Pro Edition.
30.03.2015 With the Cloud Connector you can easily connect to almost any data source 11

12. File Share Data Entity Settings
Define your data entity properties as follows:
 Enter a data entity title, e.g. MyFiles.
 Take care about the entity type shown here, e.g. source,
destination or bi-directional. You can modify it in the
connection settings.
 Select a data provider to access your data entity. All installed
providers (“drivers”) are listed. To connect to a file share you
need the Layer2 File System Provider.
 Enter a connection string to connect to your data entity, e.g.
Directory=K:test2. UNC myservermysharemydir or IP also
supported.
 See specifications below.
 When the connection is verified, take a look at the data
preview (see action menu, right hand side) to check available
fields.
 No primary key required (full file path is taken automatically).
The Cloud Connector requires a few inputs only to be configured - everyone can do 1230.03.2015

13. Office 365 Data Entity Settings
Define your data entity properties as follows:
 Enter a data entity title, e.g. my SharePoint Server.
 Take care about the entity type shown here, e.g. source,
destination or bi-directional. You can modify in the connection
settings.
 Select a data provider to access your data entity. All installed
drivers are listed. To connect to SharePoint / Office 365 you
need the Layer2 SharePoint / CSOM Provider.
 Enter a connection string to connect to your data entity. You
need the URL to a list or library, authentication type and user /
password.
 See provider specifications here.
 You don’t need any primary key (list item ID is used)
The Cloud Connector requires a few inputs only to be configured - everyone can do 1330.03.2015

14. Field Mapping between data entities
 You can map the fields / columns (metadata) of your data
entities to each other as follows:
 There is no automatic creation of list or library structures.
Please create the target list or library and required columns
manually before mapping. Refresh mapping when the data
structure has been changed.
 If data source and destination have similar structure / field
names, you can enable auto-mapping. Auto-mapping is
done automatically by field name.
 Take care about the data types. There is some built-in type
conversion, but please match as best as you can.
 Add new mapping entries using the “+” button. Remove
unwanted mappings using the “-” button.
 You can use additional columns to keep file system meta
data, e.g. the original modified / created date / time.
 Unmapped fields are kept untouched in case of updates.
 Verify mapping when you are ready.
The Cloud Connector requires a few inputs only to be configured - everyone can do 1430.03.2015

15. First Synchronization and further options
 To sync your connection first time, please press “Run Now”
in connection settings.
 Please note that the first update can take time, depending
on amount of data and configuration (approximately 1-2 GB
/ hour). Take care about warnings or error messages. The
free shareware is limited to 25 records / items. Contact
sales@layer2.de for a time-limited full-featured trial.
 After first update is finished successfully, press update again.
No items should be changed now. The 2nd update should be
much much faster (some minutes).
 To process further updates automatically please enable
scheduling. Set appropriate intervals (e.g. 1 hour),
depending on requirements, amount of data, changes and
configuration.
 Please note that the Layer2 Windows Service must be
running for background updates (see root node of your
connections tree or Windows Services Control)
 You can also update the connection on demand via
command line or API.
The Cloud Connector requires a few inputs only to be configured - everyone can do 1530.03.2015

16. Highest Security Level
 With the Cloud Connector your SharePoint users do not
access your external data directly. That gives you the highest
security level possible.
 The Cloud Connector operates safely in the local network with
full control.
 No data access to local data from outside the network
required, e.g. via incoming web services.
 No data is exposed to any 3rd party (e.g. Windows Azure).
 You can hide your connection settings by using encryption
and file system access rights.
 SSL / HTTPS fully supported for secure communication.
 You can use integrated authentication if supported by the
data providers.
 No administrative rights required on the SharePoint side, just
write access to the target list.
With the Cloud Connector you have highest seurity for your internal data 1630.03.2015

17. Highest Performance – Reliable Architecture
 End users do access native SharePoint list data only for
highest performance – not the external source directly.
 For best update performance use as few columns as possible,
e.g. no select * from myTable. Use views in case of SharePoint.
 Restrict your result set if possible using where clauses or
views.
 Changes are committed only – not the whole data sets.
 The Cloud Connector is proven to work with up to more than
100.000 records / items, depending on configuration and data
source performance. No problem with the 5.000 items list
view threshold in SharePoint. Use an unsorted, unfiltered,
ungrouped view in this case.
 Note that you can also sync metadata only to lists instead of
files to libraries.
With the Cloud Connector you have highest performance for data access 1730.03.2015

18. Layer2 Data Provider for File System
 Use this provider to sync local files with Office 365
one-way or two-way.
 Directory: Path to file share, UNC / IP also supported.
 Authentication: Windows, WindowsIntegrated
supported.
 There are more options available for more specific
requirements. Please see specification in FAQs.
 Contact sales@layer2.de if there are any issues.
With the Cloud Connector you can sync your local data with external Odata sources, e.g. MS CRM Online 1830.03.2015

19. Layer2 Data Provider for SharePoint (CSOM) 1/2
 Connects to SharePoint lists and libraries, on-premise and in the
Microsoft cloud, bi-directional if required.
 URL parameter (required) provides the link to the source list or library.
Please copy from browser. Best to use a certain view.
 Authentication provides an authentication method, e.g.
IntegratedWindows (default), Windows, Office365, IECookie,
Anonymous, ADFS, ADFSWindowsIntegrated.
 For Windows integrated authentication take care, that all users that use
update on demand have access, and / or the Windows Timer Service
account (if background update is used).
 For Windows and Office 365 authentication the parameter user and
password are required additionally. Please use the same values as if you
would login manually.
 For IECookie authentication Cookie Manager is required. See below for
more.
 For ADFS authentication at Office365 / SharePoint Online the parameter
OnlineUser, username and password must be provided.
 For ADFSWindowsIntegrated the parameter OnlineUser must be
provided. OnlineUser must be set to the mapped user id used as online
id for Office 365 authentication.
 Find more specifications here.
With the Cloud Connector you can sync your local data with other SharePoint or Office 365 lists or libraries 1930.03.2015

20. Layer2 Data Provider for SharePoint (CSOM) 2/2
 For best performance please use a defined view with
the required columns only.
 Select statements are not supported. Please use a view
on data source side to select your data.
 There are more options available for more specific
requirements. Please see specification in FAQs.
 Note that you can use the CSOM provider to sync
whatever you want to SharePoint, or also SharePoint
to SharePoint.
 Contact sales@layer2.de if there are any issues.
With the Cloud Connector you can sync your local data with other SharePoint or Office 365 lists or libraries 2030.03.2015

21. Free Shareware & Licensing
 The Cloud Connector can be used as free Shareware with limitations (25 items per list). Full featured time-
limited licenses on request.
 The Cloud Connector can be licensed per local installation.
No user User CALs required.
 The license is permanent, one-time fee.
 Optional annual Software Assurance for free updates and upgrades per installation available (20%).
 The Personal Edition is limited to one connection to SharePoint.
 The Professional Edition supports an unlimited number of connections with any end-points.
 Several support options, e.g. free or per hour.
 No new installation is required for licensing, just place the license file in license directory.
 You can order online using any payment procedure you want.
 Contact sales@layer2.de if you have any questions or need a quote.
30.03.2015 You can use the Cloud Connector as free Shareware as long as you want – or licensed per installation. 21

22. Layer2 SharePoint Apps –
who runs business with it?
 Layer2 apps are used all over the world in thousands
of small, mid-sized and large companies and
organizations like The Coca-Cola Company, Bauer Inc,
IBM, Deloite, US Defense Department, NATO, United
Nations World Food Programme (WFP), Unico Banking
Group, Swiss Life AG and many others.
 See www.layer2solutions.com for more products and
customer references.
Layer2 is one of the leading provider of SharePoint, Office 365 and Azure apps in Europe 2230.03.2015

23. Layer2 Partner Program for Resellers and
Implementers (VARs)
 Completely cost-free partner program. No contract required.
 Partner links at our product pages. Sales leads will find you as a local
partner and will contact you for order and / or implementation
support.
 Silver and Gold Partnership: 15 - 30% discount on production
licenses to use our solutions in your external customer projects or for
resale.
 Place your orders using our on-line shop system. Simply enter your
partner coupon codes to receive your specific discounts.
 As a Gold Partner you can use our solutions internally, for
demonstration or within your intranet, extranet or even Internet as
free NFR version.
 Premium support level with high priority and direct access to the
product development team. Joint development options.
Project support, if required.
 Free marketing and sales support, ready to use digital marketing kit
including flyers, presentations and evaluation downloads.
Layer2 as a vendor is powerful together with its partners - and for its partners. 2330.03.2015

24. What are you waiting for?
 Please click below to register, download
and evaluate today:
http://www.layer2solutions.com/de/produkt
e/Seiten/SharePoint-Cloud-Connector.aspx
 Find more information about file sync here:
http://www.layer2solutions.com/en/commu
nity/FAQs/cloud-connector/Pages/file-
system-sync-with-Office-365.aspx
 Find more sync solutions here:
http://www.layer2solutions.com/en/solution
s/Pages/default.aspx
Make your SharePoint and Office 365 even better – download and try today. 2430.03.2015