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Sync Framework V4 Update - Sync Framework Toolkit Available for Download! RRS feed

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    At PDC 2010 we announced and released Sync Framework V4 CTP.  The main capability available in the CTP was greatly enhanced support for offline clients.  In particular, we added the ability to easily create web services to synchronize data from SQL Server or SQL Azure databases with offline clients built on any platform - Silverlight, Windows Phone 7, iPhone or any client platform with any local client store.  The final release of V4 was planned for 2011 and we were targeting the first half of this year for general availability.

     

    This post is to inform you that we have updated our plans and postponed the V4 release for the time being.  We do expect to release Sync Framework V4 in the future and will let you know the new release date when available, but it is unlikely the release will be available in 2011.

     

    There has been a great deal of interest in our V4 release, with lots of participation in the CTP.  In lieu of a formal release, we are planning to make the V4 CTP functionality available as source code samples on MSDN Code Gallery in the next few months – server code, client code and client samples.  The source code samples will utilize and depend on Sync Framework V2.1 (on the server), as was the case for the CTP. 

    UPDATE: The Sync Framework Toolkit (with source code of SyncFx4.0 CTP) is now available for download! 

     

    This was a difficult decision for the team.  We are currently focusing on the delivery of SQL Azure Data Sync which is a service providing data synchronization capabilities for SQL Azure that will be released later this year.  SQL Azure Data Sync heavily utilizes Sync Framework internally.

     

    Here are a few common questions we’ve received:

     

    ·         Q: Will you stop supporting Sync Framework V2.1?

    ·         A: No.  Sync Framework V2.1 is a released product and will continue to be supported, both formally and via the MSDN forums.

     

    ·         Q: Does this mean that the Sync Framework is being phased out?

    ·         A: No.  We expect to provide future versions of the synchronization developer platform.  SQL Azure Data Sync is built on top of Sync Framework and we continue to invest in data synchronization capabilities.  We believe that both end-user services and development platform are important to provide a complete stack for customers.  With Sync Framework V2.1 being available we are currently focusing on the delivery of the end-user service.

     

    ·         Q: When do you expect Sync Framework V4 will be released?

    ·         A: A potential release date has not been set.

     

    ·         Q: How do the offline capabilities of Sync Framework V4 relate to the recently announced “reference data caching” capabilities for OData?

    ·         A: “Reference data caching” is being proposed as a future additional capability of the OData protocol.  It specifically targets the one-way download scenario for reference data.  We believe this is a common scenario and is sufficiently straightforward to integrate directly into the OData protocol.  We are exploring how far to integrate sync capabilities into the OData protocol vs. potentially layering more sync capabilities on top of OData, which is the approach we took with the Sync Framework V4 CTP.  We look forward to your feedback in this area as we explore together with the OData community.

     

    Regards,

    Sync Framework team

     





    Wednesday, March 30, 2011 5:48 PM

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    "The final release of V4 was planned for 2011 and we were targeting the first half of this year for general availability"  and  "but it is unlikely the release will be available in 2011"  by looking at this timespan it tells me that this is not a delay, this is a complete re-think of priority!  this tells me that it would be foolish to rely further on sync framework 4.  This news brings so much uncertainty  that unless some more concrete data pops up, projects planning on using sync 4.0 would have a very unreliable future indeed.  Unfortunately i am involved in one of those projects, and between the difficulty of having answers on this forum, not form incompetent, but probably few and overtaxed personnel, from this recent news on commitment  i am definitely felling the heat.

    So i here by urge for more details on this, for us, the "early adopters" can steer our small vessels in the right direction.


    Sincerely  Guilherme Gonçalves

    Saturday, April 2, 2011 10:29 PM
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    Hi

    We have postponed the V4 release for the moment and have not got any guidance on when it will be released, only that it is unlikely to be this year.  We do plan to provide the capabilities as source code shortly and I hope to have further news on when to expect the source code in the next 1-2 weeks.

    In order to help you and others plan their projects this hopefully helps:

    • If you need a formal Sync Framework V4 release for your application, then I do not see how you can plan on using the V4 release as I haven't got a release date to share.
    • If you think you'll be able to utilize the source code samples then I should have more news in 1-2 weeks and it looks like they should be available in the next 1-2 months.  Wait until I can provide an update in the next 1-2 weeks.
    • If your application only requires one-way download of reference data, then do keep an eye on the work being done to support reference data caching in OData - see the following blog post - http://www.odata.org/blog/2011/3/16/reference-data-caching

    I hope this helps you plan accordingly.

    Regards, Mark

     

    Tuesday, April 5, 2011 5:45 AM
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    Hi Mark,

    I'm not sure it's source code we're in need of, I think the license associated with Syncframework 4.0 is the issue, not the maintenance of the existing code.  Without a go live license, with or without source code Sync Framework V4 is only an academic exercise. I think many have been developing against SyncFramework 4 with the presumption that a go live license at some point in the near future would be forthcoming. 

    I presume the release of the source code will be accompanied with a new license agreement that will enable the community to use SyncFramework V4 in production. Is this correct?

    Cheers

    Mick Lang

    Thursday, April 7, 2011 6:46 AM
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    I have to say this is a huge disappointment. I have been sitting on the sidelines waiting for the update and release so we can move forward with our project. And now we have to go invent the wheel, when the wheel is just around the corner, just locked away. We could have made a huge investment in building our own Sync instead of waiting, but we opted to wait for this, now we are even farther behind the ball on this project.

    I think you should share more with the community of why this delay was needed and what you promise to deliver by waiting, this will help us understand the reasons. We all want quality, and if thats the reason I agree, but spell it out for us. And let us know if you are going to continue to work on this or is it being shuffled for another project.

    For What its worth. I have two projects that i need this framework for.

    1 MIGHT use SQL Azure, The other will have to be hosted on the client machine/servers and use local datastores.  So while I know you want to make SQL Azure your flag ship SQL server service, I still haven't bought into it. I just don't see the need since I have managed SQL servers for years. just my 2cents...

    Jeremy Wesley

     

    Jeremy Wesley MCSE+I, MCP+I, MCSD, MCDBA Act!CC, ACT!PT, iPhone Dev
    Friday, April 8, 2011 9:06 PM
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    Hi Mick

    We're finalizing the license for the source code.  I want to emphasize though that we are planning on releasing "sample" code - this will be the source code we released for the CTP, but it is sample and we release it "as is" with no guarantees and no support.  It will be up to you to integrate into your application and test your application works before you go live with it.

    I think this will work for some people - today we have customers who take our samples, test them, maybe make some modifications and then go live.  For some customers we know they need to build on formally support released components and this source code release will not help.  In this case I can point people at the delta/reference data caching support becoming available as part of OData (watch out for more details and news at MIX).

    I hope that helps clarify things at least.

    Regards, Mark

    Tuesday, April 12, 2011 3:04 PM
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    So how close are we to receiving the "sample" source code?  Also will you be providing the SyncSvcUtil source as well?
    Tuesday, April 12, 2011 3:24 PM
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    Hi Jeremy

    I understand your frustration and disappointment.  We are not delaying for quality reasons; we are focusing our efforts and resources on building the SQL Azure Data Sync service.  This really was a tough decision for the team, although I realize that is of little comfort to you.

    Depending on your scenario the delta / reference data caching support for OData (http://www.odata.org/blog/2011/3/16/reference-data-caching) may be of interest and use.  There should be more details available from the MIX conference this week.  I would encourage you to take a look at it.  If it does not satisfy your requirements as proposed then please leave feedback stating what we need to add.

    Regards, Mark

     

    Tuesday, April 12, 2011 3:26 PM
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    Hi Mark,

    Yes me an my dev team are looking in to the Sync 2.1 framework with OData as a means to accomplish the task of syncing from a desktop or server to an iPhone.

    So the SQL Azure Data Sync Service that you are focusing on, will that allow mobile devices or just sync to onsite systems? Can you tell us more of what the SQL Azure Data Sync Service will offer to use as developers?

    Thanks.

    Jeremy

     

    Jeremy Wesley MCSE+I, MCP+I, MCSD, MCDBA Act!CC, ACT!PT, iPhone Dev
    Tuesday, April 12, 2011 3:50 PM
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    Yes, the SyncSvcUtil will be release as source code as well.
    Maheshwar Jayaraman - http://blogs.msdn.com/mahjayar
    Thursday, April 14, 2011 5:38 PM
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    • If you think you'll be able to utilize the source code samples then I should have more news in 1-2 weeks and it looks like they should be available in the next 1-2 months.  Wait until I can provide an update in the next 1-2 weeks.
    Any updates, please?
    Wednesday, April 27, 2011 1:36 PM
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    Though the CTP release provides some exciting features for developing offline/disconnected mode applications it is not very useful without the support for plugging in Custom Sync Providers. SqlDBSyc is not a practical solution as most real world applications have requirements that do little more than just CRUD (and not just about validations). Lot of business logic and data processing logic is something that we need to consider as well. Also, letting the sync service use the database is not a favorite topic in any of the discussions with our customers (as is the case with many). As many have pointed out there is no or very little practical use for using this with real world applications. Any updated on source code release (which is quoted as a solution to make custom providers work) ?
    Tuesday, May 10, 2011 4:06 AM
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    Hi Mark,

     

    We are one of the microsoft Sync users eagerly looking for Sync framework capability to sync SQL server and silverlight. Could you please let us know if these source codes have been uploaded. If so can you please provide the link for the same.

     

    Thanks and regards

    Venkatesh. S|MCTS(WCF, ADO.NET 3.5)|eMail: heman_1978@hotmail.com
    Sunday, May 22, 2011 12:02 PM
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    Hello Mark,

    Any news please? at least tell us something when SourceCode will be released/changed your plan? already passes 2+ months since your announcement...


    Monday, June 6, 2011 8:00 PM
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    Mark, Can you offer any update on this? We are about ready to go to market with our product for iPhones/iPads but the next hurdled is the W7Phone and we would like to hear something from Microsoft regarding the possibility of using this code. We had to write a custom provider to work with a CRM applications API so the SQL Sync fwk not an option for us. Can someone from MSFT update this thread, hopefully with some zip files for everyone to enjoy.

    Thanks for your help, but we are still hanging out here, trying to be patient, but still waiting......

    Jeremy

     

    Jeremy Wesley MCSE+I, MCP+I, MCSD, MCDBA Act!CC, ACT!PT, iPhone Dev
    Wednesday, June 22, 2011 8:24 PM
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    It has taken way longer than expected, but we are now though most of the process required for us to release the source code.  We will make the source code available by the end of August (this year!).

    Thanks for hanging in there!

    Mark

     


    Wednesday, July 6, 2011 12:55 PM
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    Mark,

    Thank you so much for replying to the community, I appreciate your time and efforts in making this available to us. Thanks for giving us a time line so we can plan accordingly.

    Jeremy Wesley MCSE+I, MCP+I, MCSD, MCDBA Act!CC, ACT!PT, iPhone Dev
    Wednesday, July 6, 2011 1:45 PM
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    Hi Mark,

    That is a very good news. Thanks to the effort put forward by your team to help us all.

    Thanks and regards

    Venkatesh. S|MCTS(WCF, ADO.NET 3.5)|eMail: heman_1978@hotmail.com
    Thursday, July 7, 2011 1:36 AM
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    Hi Mark,

    We are waiting on the code too... is it possible to have it any sooner? It is holding up a lot of things on our project.

     

    Thank You,

    Vish

    Vish
    Saturday, July 9, 2011 1:46 AM
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    Hi Mark,

    With the code base only getting ready only by august end, Can we have a RC of the version so that we can get to see some prototypes to see if this fits our requirement. If that could be done then it would be wonderful.

    Thanks and regards

    Venkatesh. S

     

    Venkatesh. S|MCTS(WCF, ADO.NET 3.5)|eMail: heman_1978@hotmail.com
    Wednesday, July 20, 2011 8:32 AM
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    I think a RC is a good Idea, because there are always questions. If we could play with the code we could give you questions that could be answers and included with the final code. What kind of support ( for questions) is going to be provided with this code?

     

    Jeremy Wesley MCSE+I, MCP+I, MCSD, MCDBA Act!CC, ACT!PT, iPhone Dev
    Wednesday, July 20, 2011 6:52 PM
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    Yea, its August, Christmas is suppose to come early this year. Can you share anything with us?

     

    Jeremy Wesley MCSE+I, MCP+I, MCSD, MCDBA Act!CC, ACT!PT, iPhone Dev
    Tuesday, August 2, 2011 6:58 PM
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    Any bets on if they release this month or not?
    Wednesday, August 17, 2011 11:42 AM
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    Hi Mark,

    What is the status on this code update? What will we get at the end of August 2011? Can we expect some details on this by atleast this week end.

    Thanks and regards

     

    Venkatesh. S|MCTS(WCF, ADO.NET 3.5)|eMail: heman_1978@hotmail.com
    Thursday, August 18, 2011 12:28 AM
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    The release is still on track for end of this month!  We'll post some details on what to expect in the next day or so.

    Thanks, Mark

    Friday, August 19, 2011 8:58 PM
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    Will you release a Microsoft.Synchronization.ClientServices.* for WinForms as well?
    Monday, August 22, 2011 2:53 PM
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    Hi Everyone

    I realize it is the end of the month and we have not yet released the code. Some items have taken longer than expected, but we are close and you can expect the release in the next week or so.

    In terms of what we'll be releasing as source code it can simply be summarized as everything we released as part of the V4 CTP!  The V4 CTP consisted of a set of server components, client components, tooling, a number of sample applications and the documentation. The components were released as an independent package that utilized and was dependent on Sync Framework V2.1 being installed.  We'll release the source code for everything we supplied in the independent package.  The soure code will still rely on Sync Framework V2.1 and we are not releasing the source code for V2.1.

    In a little more detail:

    • Service component code that can be deployed to IIS or Windows Azure to expose SQL Server or SQL Azure data for synchronization via the protocol we defined.
    • Client component code for Silverlight and WP7 that utilizes isolated storage.  An obvious update here would be to produce a new component for WP7 that works with the new store in Mango.
    • Client sample application code for silverlight, WP7, iPhone, Windows Mobile 6.5 and HTML5.
    • Command line and UI tooling code.

    Please hang in there, we're almost done.

    Thanks, Mark

    Thursday, September 1, 2011 6:22 AM
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    Any bets on if they release this month or not?

    I knew I should have taken you up on this :)
    Thursday, September 1, 2011 7:07 AM
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    Hi Mark,

    Thanks for the information. The Synchronization with HTML5 was a really supprise package for me. Can you please provide a little details on that? Will there be a sync facility between indexed strogage and a database using WCF ? Is this synchronization cross browser compatiable ? I'm excited to know these details.

    Thanks and regards

    Venkatesh. S|MCTS(WCF, ADO.NET 3.5)|eMail: heman_1978@hotmail.com
    Friday, September 2, 2011 1:30 AM
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    Hi Mark

    Wow, either the framework is extremely challenging or your team is really swamped with other work, hehe. If possible, please hire some mole men to speed up the project delivery :P

    Thanks and please keep up the good work ;)
    Q
    Tuesday, September 6, 2011 5:14 AM
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    Hi Mark.

    What is the status on the code update. It is September 08 2011 and we still have no news on this. Could you please let us know when his will be available?

    Thanks and regards

     

    Venkatesh. S|MCTS(WCF, ADO.NET 3.5)|eMail: heman_1978@hotmail.com
    Thursday, September 8, 2011 2:35 AM
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    Hello Mark, please dont let us blind here! Send a smoke sign or something.
    HJ
    Thursday, September 8, 2011 2:41 PM
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    Hi Mark,

    It's vital to my project that this code comes out in the next week or so. I wish it wasn't but it is. Would love to see it soon!

    Friday, September 9, 2011 9:47 PM
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    Please see the announcement here:

     

    http://blogs.msdn.com/b/sync/archive/2011/09/10/sync-framework-toolkit-now-available-for-download.aspx

     

    Saturday, September 10, 2011 3:23 AM
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    Thank you everyone for your patience.  Enjoy!

    Regards, Mark

     

    Sunday, September 11, 2011 10:28 PM
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    Thanks for your efforts Mark. Just having a small difficulty trying to integrate the code into my solution as described here: http://social.msdn.microsoft.com/Forums/ar/synclab/thread/33901313-b1ba-44d9-bb16-e3e484ddf6cd Would love some help with this as I couldn't figure it out all day yesterday...
    Sunday, September 11, 2011 10:41 PM
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    Ok that one is sorted. Now that I've finally gotten to see inside the sync service I've found the source of a problem which has been causing me extended grief for well over a year now! The problem at this point is that while I can modify the code to make it work in my case I'd like to discuss it with the guys who originally put it together to come up with a best solution (rather than a 'just' solution). Where would be the best place to discuss the code and how it can be progressed?
    Monday, September 12, 2011 12:13 AM
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    Thank you very much for finally handing out sources!
    Senior Jack of all trades
    Monday, September 12, 2011 7:12 AM
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    I suggest to set up a project on GitHub or even CodePlex to collect the community efforts for this. I would be very happy to contribute.
    Senior Jack of all trades
    Monday, September 12, 2011 7:15 AM
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    what about documentation ... 

    http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/gg298988(SQL.110).aspx

    vs

    http://web.archive.org/web/20101108043617/http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/gg298988(SQL.110).aspx

     


    EDIT:

    Toolkit.zip/C#/Sync Framework Toolkit.chm 

    • Edited by Selvin Wednesday, September 14, 2011 8:10 AM
    Tuesday, September 13, 2011 9:27 AM
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    I would have hoped to see an answer on this as well.  At least a winfoms example.
    Tuesday, January 3, 2012 6:36 PM