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--- organisationcloud/filelocking [2019_05_23 18:02] – [5 Mac File Locking] steven
+++ organisationcloud:filelocking [2024_03_14 18:38] – [3 Windows Cloud Explorer explicit locking] steven
@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-# Multi User File Locking
+# File Locking
-The Enterprise File Fabric provides federated locking services across all mapped storage providers, even if those storage providers don’t support locking themselves.
+#### Last updated on Sept 15, 2023
-Appertains to:
+Nasuni Access Anywhere provides federated locking services across all mapped storage providers, even if those storage providers don’t support locking themselves.
- * SaaS hosted Service
- * IaaS Use
- * Enterprise on-premises use
 ## Overview
-A critical feature of shared file systems, file locking is a protection mechanism that prevents two users from editing the same file at the same time. Within the File Fabric the first user “locks” the file before editing. The lock is added to the file metadata tracking who made the lock and when. When a second user attempts to edit the same file they get an error that the file is locked. This second user can still download the file for read only. When the first user completes or cancels their editing session the lock is removed.
+A critical feature of shared file systems, file locking is a protection mechanism that prevents two users from editing the same file at the same time. Within Access Anywhere, the first user locks the file before editing. The lock is added to the file metadata tracking who initiated the lock and when. When a second user attempts to edit the same file, the behavior depends on how the user attempts to open the file.
+  * If a user opens the file through the Mac or Windows Cloud Drive, the file opens for read access in the associated editor (for example, Microsoft Word in the case of a Word document).  When the user makes a change and attempts to save the file, they will be prompted to save it under a different name.  //
+//
+  * If a user tries to open a locked file with Cloud Edit, the file will not be opened on the desktop. Instead, it displays in one of Access Anywhere’s online viewing services, such as the Microsoft online viewer for Office documents.
+  * Multiple users can simultaneously co-author documents, presentations and spreadsheets through Microsoft Word, PowerPoint and Excel applications for the web.
-## Implicit and Explicit Locks
+## Automatic and Manual Locking
-The File Fabric uses implicit and explicit locking. When a file is opened through a desktop application or drive implicit locks (aka auto-locks) are created. These locks are released when the file is closed and any changes uploaded.
+Access Anywhere supports automatic and manual locking. When a file is opened through a desktop application or drive, a lock is usually automatically initiated. The lock is then released when a file is closed.
-Users can also explicitly lock and unlock files themselves through the drive, desktop applications and through the web-based Cloud File Manager.
+Users can also manually lock and unlock files themselves through the drive, desktop applications, and the web-based Cloud File Manager.
 ## Lock Permissions
-Users can only unlock files they have locked. The Organization Administrator and users with Admin role can remove any lock.
+Users can only unlock files they have locked. The Organization Administrator and users with the Admin role can remove any lock.
+<WRAP center round important 100%>
+Locks are not enforced for the org. admin or members with the Admin role when they open a file that is already locked by any user.
+</WRAP>
 The same users can lock and unlock the same file through different applications or even computers. Note that a user can also open the same file for editing on different computers.
-Locks do not expire automatically. Manual locks are often used to temporarily prevent files from being modified or deleted.
+Starting with version 2106.07, locks are created with a 24-hour lifespan and, unless they have been extended, expire automatically after 24 hours.
 Locking a file will also lock all versions.
 ## Identifying Locked Files
-Locked files are identifiable by the lock icon seen in the Cloud File Manager and in desktop and mobile applications.  The files that are user has currently locked are also listed in the Cloud File Manager under LOCKS. The file metadata, viewable in the Cloud File Manager through “File Info” shows who currently has the file locked, and when they locked it.
+Single-user locked files display a lock icon on the Cloud File Manager and desktop and mobile applications. Files being co-authored display a lock icon and an Editing in Office Online tag. Both sets of locked files display under the Locks section of the Cloud File Manager. The file metadata, viewable in the Cloud File Manager, displays who locked the file and when.
-## Provider Locks
+{{ :organisationcloud:collabedit4.png?800 |}}
-File locking is supported with all mapped storage providers. In general direct access to the storage outside of the File Fabric circumvents the lock. Locks for Microsoft Office, OpenOffice and LibreOffice are however synchronized with CIFS filesystems.
+<WRAP center round info 100%>
+When a user tries to open a file for editing and the file is already locked by another user, the file will be opened for read-only access.  Access Anywhere does not provide an option to notify the read-only user when the file becomes unlocked.
-When a user attempts to upload, update or lock a file through the File Fabric a check is made for a lock in CIFS. If the file is locked in CIFS an error is returned that document is locked.
+</WRAP>
-When an office application (Microsoft Office, OpenOffice or LibreOffice) opens a document through a File Fabric cloud drive a lock file is created. This file is detected and File Fabric automatically creates the same lock file in the CIFS filesystem. Office applications that are accessing CIFS outside of the File Fabric will then know that the file is locked.
+## Provider File Locks
+File locking is supported with all mapped storage providers. In general direct access to the storage outside of Access Anywhere circumvents the lock. Locks for Microsoft 365, OpenOffice, and LibreOffice are, however, synchronized with SMB filesystems.
+When a user attempts to upload, update or lock a file through Access Anywhere, a check is made for a lock in SMB. If the file is locked in SMB, an error is returned that the document is locked.
+When an office application (Microsoft Office, OpenOffice, or LibreOffice) opens a document through an Access Anywhere cloud drive, a lock file is created. This file is detected, and Access Anywhere automatically creates the same lock file in the SMB filesystem. Office applications that are accessing SMB outside of Access Anywhere will then know that the file is locked.
+<WRAP center round info 100%>
+Automatic locking is not supported for the older Microsoft Office file formats such as .xls, .doc and .ppt.  Files of these types can be locked manually from the Web File Manager or the desktop tools.
+</WRAP>
+For more information see [[:cloudappliance/smb-locking|]].
 ## Troubleshooting
-If a file remains locked it can be because:
+If a file remains locked, it can be because:
- * A User explicitly locks a file and forgets to unlock it.
+ * A user explicitly locks a file and forgets to unlock it.
  * If a file is locked automatically using a desktop app such as Microsoft Word and the App crashes the file then remains locked until explicitly unlocked.
-Also note an Administrator can unlock files (in addition to the user who owns the lock).
+Also, note an Administrator can unlock files (in addition to the user who owns the lock)
+.
 ## Applications
 ### 1 Cloud File Manager (web)
@@ Line 57: / Line 77: @@
 {{ :organisationcloud:filelocking:steps:sme_1_web_file_locking.png?300 }}
-Files can be locked and unlocked from the web file managers on right click. If a file has a lock icon it is locked. Display the info panel to see who has locked the file.
+Files can be locked and unlocked from the web file managers on right-click. If a file has a lock icon, it is locked. Display the info panel to see who has locked the file.
-### 2 Windows SME Explorer
+### 2 Windows Cloud Explorer
 {{ :/organisationcloud:filelocking:steps:sme_2_windows_sme_explorer.png }}
 In the Windows dedicated explorer if you double click on a file to edit then you will be prompted to lock the file prior to it being opened.
+### 3 Windows Cloud Explorer explicit locking
-### 3 Windows SME Explorer explicit locking
 {{ :/organisationcloud:filelocking:steps:sme_3_windows_sme_explorer.png }}
-Locking / unlocking   of files from the Windows explorer can also be done explicitly on right click
+Locking / unlocking of files from the Windows explorer can also be done explicitly on right click
-Files can also be easily locked / unlocked on open/save using the SME OpenOffice and Microsoft Office toolbar plug-in's.
+Files can also be easily locked/unlocked on open/save using Access Anywhere OpenOffice and Microsoft Office toolbar plug-in's.
-### 4 Windows Drive file locking
+### 4 Windows Cloud Drive
-{{ :/organisationcloud:filelocking:steps:sme_4_windows_drive_file_l.png }}
+{{ /organisationcloud:filelocking:tray-icon-locked.png?400 |}}
+Locking from the Windows Virtual drive or WebDAV drive can be achieved explicitly from a right-click file action.
-Locking from the Windows Virtual drive or WebDAV drive can be achieved explicitly from a right click file action.
+Also if a Microsoft office or LibreOffice file is double-clicked and opened from the drive then the file is auto-locked. The same file is auto-unlocked when the file is closed. A tray icon is shown when this occurs.
-Also if a Microsoft office or LibreOffice file is double clicked and opened from the drive then the file is auto-locked. The same file is auto-unlocked when the App is closed. A try icon is shown when this occurs.
+RTF files and Autodesk DWG files will also be auto-locked.
-### 5 Mac Drive Locking
-{{ :/organisationcloud:filelocking:steps:sme_5_mac_file_locking.png }}
-The Mac Drive also features explicit file locking and unlocking. Locked files can be identified on the drive by the lock icon against the file.
-As with the Windows Drive if office files are launched directly from Mac Finder then they are auto-locked and auto-unlocked on exit.
 ### 5 Cloud Edit
-Applications launched from [[cloudedit]] do not lock files. The menu option to open Cloud Edit will not be available if the file is currently locked.
+The menu option to open Cloud Edit will not be available if the file is currently locked.
-### 6 Microsoft Office Online
-The Office Online editors, Word, Excel and PowerPoint lock files on open. When the edit (the webpage) is closed the file is updated and lock is released. This may take several minutes.
-If a file is opened via Team Edit all participants can collaboratively edit the file.
+Applications launched from [[//cloudedit]] on Windows lock files. The lock is released when the file is first saved. (Available with Windows since 12.3.23).
+### 6 Microsoft 365 for the Web
-### 7 Zoho Office
+Uses can create and edit Word documents, Excel spreadsheets, and PowerPoint presentations individually and collaboratively through Microsoft 365 web applications.
-Zoho editors lock files on open. The file will be unlocked on Save.
+In single-user mode, the edited file is locked and can only be edited by that user. After the web editor is closed, changes are automatically saved, and the lock is released.
-If a file is opened via Team Edit all participants can collaboratively edit the file.
+In co-authoring mode, a collaborative lock is created allowing other users to join the file editing session. During a co-authoring session, all users work simultaneously on a file and can view edits from other users in real-time. After the last person closes the collaboration file, the file is unlocked.
+For more information, see [[:msofficeonline#multi-user_real_time_edit|Microsoft 365 for the web]].