ABOUT THE TECHNOLOGY
Synchronization between mobile handheld devices and Lotus Notes requires software and a server connection between Lotus Notes and the device. The software, sometimes referred to as a conduit, has components that must be loaded on the handheld, as well as on the users PC. To work with most handheld platforms available on the market today, the University has selected two server solutions for deployment. Extended Systems OneBridge Server is compatible with Pocket PCs and Palm handhelds; Research in Motions Blackberry Enterprise Server is used for all BlackBerries. Both products provide similar mobile access/synchronization to Notes.
The major difference is related to how the users chosen combination of technologies exchange data. The two categories are pull and push.
Devices in pull mode request synchronization at the users request or on a schedule that is user defined. Pull mode is suitable for networks and devices that are billed by the minute for data transfer. Typically, these networks are called 2nd generation or 2G networks and are capable of data exchange rates of 19.2 kbps. Additionally, pull mode is more suitable for 2G networks because the power required for synchronization is significantly higher than that of newer networks. Pull mode is also desirable for wireless Ethernet because of higher power requirements.
Push mode is suitable for newer networks, called 2.5 generation or 2.5G networks. These networks exchange data at a rate between 50 144 kbps, depending on which network is being used. They require far less power consumption on the handheld and are often billed at one price for unlimited usage; therefore, data connections can remain on continuously. In turn, the conduit server
continuously monitors the Notes server for changes to mail and PIM data. When changes are detected, they are sent at administratively defined time intervals, typically less than 1 minute. When mail is sent or PIM data is modified on the handheld, it is pushed to the Notes server again, at an administratively defined time interval, typically less than one minute.
Usually Palms and Pocket PCs can be set up in either push or pull mode, depending upon the network. BlackBerries are push mode only. All 2G networks will be replaced over the next few years. While 2.5G networks will not be replaced in the near future, they also will eventually be replaced by 3G technologies that are expected to achieve data rates in excess of 1 mbps. Existing networks at 2G or above provide reasonably reliable results regardless of the devices or networks they choose. However, users are advised that wireless data networks are not as reliable as wired networks; therefore outages are typically somewhat more common.