Offline Files are cached on the user's local computer to ensure carrying out their work uninterrupted, and all the information will automatically synchronize to the server when the network connection.
Offline Files in Windows Server 2008 as a reservation feature, users can continue to access and edit the files in the remote network shared folder while the network disconnected. The server files will be cached and store on user's local computer. Once the offline files feature is configured to enable, then the concept of cache file for the user will be completely transparent.
For example, the user would like to visit a shared folder named Myshare on Filesrv server, then he can access via UNC path FilesrvMySharedirectoryfilename. Well, the situation of disconnected to the network, when a user tries to access the same UNC path to the file, the file will be opened as usual. Through the offline files, even without a network connection, you can continue to use the network files and programs. If you disconnect the network connection or remove a portable computer, the view designated as available for offline will be exactly the same previously connected to the network .Users can continue to work as usual, the access authority of these files and folders are identical as previously connected to the network.
When the connection state changes, the "Offline Files" icon will appear in the notification area, the notification area balloon will display a prompt to notify the user of this change. When the network connection to restore or plug a portable computer, by default, all offline changes made by users will be updated via the network. When the user and others on the network to make changes to the same file, the user can choose their own version of the file saved to the network, keep the other version or both versions are preserved. Any changes on the files will synchronize to the server after network connection.This feature of Offline Files is especially helpful to those using a laptop computer, and those who travel frequently, or office network unstable people.