You can attach binary files to mail messages and to any object capable of displaying a Notes page. Since binary attachments can be potentially very large, OfficeTalk gives you a choice when it comes to replicating them. You may choose between
Always replicating attachments
Never replicating attachments
Sending and receiving attachments according to a separate schedule.
The first option will ensure that attachment information is completely up to date with other replicated data. However, large attachments created at one site may take a long time to be replicated at another site, especially if the replication method is e-mail, and as a result, the potentially more important core data may be delayed accordingly.
The second option has the disadvantage that file attachments will never be available to members of the replicating site. However, the speed of data replication will be proportionally faster.
The third option can be useful if your company needs to quickly replicate its core data every day and doesn't need immediate access to binary attachment data. This way large binary data can be transferred less frequently, all in one go, for example at the weekend.
These options may be specified in one of two ways:
From within the Gateway page of the Remote Workgroup wizard or the Remote Workgroup property sheet.
From the OfficeTalk Services dialog box. For more information, see Remote Workgroup Gateway Services.
To specify these options from the Remote Workgroup property sheet, do the following:
Select Remote Workgroups from the left hand list in Supervisor mode and click the right mouse button on the relevant remote workgroup in the right hand list and select Edit from the context menu. This will display the Remote Workgroup property sheet.
Select the Gateway page and choose the appropriate radio button, representing your choice for how attachments are handled. If you select Schedule when to send/receive attachment data, the Attachment Update Times button will become enabled, letting you enter a schedule of when attachments will be replicated.