Offline files -offline files, while technically not a form of fault tolerance, is a mechanism that individual users can employ to maintain access to their server files, even in the event of a network service failure. windows workstations copy server-based folders that users designate for offline use to the local drive, and the users work with the copies, which remain accessible whether the computer is connected to the network or not. if the network connection fails or the user undocks a portable computer, access to the offline files continues uninterrupted. when the computer reconnects to the network, a synchronization procedure occurs that replicates the files between server and workstation in whichever direction is necessary.