A shadow folder contains a “reference copy” of the current files in a repository. Files are automatically updated when changes are checked in to Surround. Use shadow folders to provide read-only access to non-Surround users or to provide a central location to build releases from. Shadow folders cannot be created on snapshot branches.
For example, your employee manual files are stored in Surround SCM. Most employees do not have access to the Surround database that contains the files. Creating a shadow folder on a public network drive lets all employees view the manual. When the human resources department updates the files and checks in changes to Surround SCM, the files in the shadow folder are also updated with changes. This ensures employees have access to the latest version of the employee manual.
Before you add a shadow folder, you must first create an empty directory. Surround SCM does not automatically create shadow folders to provide greater security and protection against hackers. If Surround did automatically create shadow folders, a hacker could fill up the hard drive with unnecessary files. A hacker could also specify the Windows system folder as the shadow folder and then check in .DLLs that contain a virus. In addition, the administrator can control where the shadow folders are being created.