When a user logs in, the iFolder client authenticates to the iFolder server by sending the encrypted username and password through an Internet connection to the iFolder server. The iFolder server uses this information to verify that the user exists, and then checks to see if the User object has been enabled in the iFolder Management Console to use iFolder. After the User object has been enabled, a user account must be created on the iFolder server before the user can begin using iFolder on his local workstation. An account is created the first time a user logs in to the iFolder server with the iFolder client. After the user account is created, the account can then be managed via the iFolder Management Console.
After the first login, a user can begin to add files to his iFolder directory and automatic synchronization begins. The iFolder client is always aware of any local activity and, based on the synchronization preferences chosen by you or the user, the iFolder client regularly asks the iFolder server for a download of any new data. After the iFolder server downloads the data, it uploads any updates from the iFolder local directory. When the user access his account from a different computer, the iFolder server first downloads any updates before uploading the iFolder client changes.