Distribution Strategies

When distributing objects between Instances, you choose a distribution strategy that determines how the target handles conflicts with existing content. The strategy is selected per object type (files, applications, tables) during the distribution flow.

Overwrite

This is the default strategy. If a file with the same name and path already exists in the target, it will be overwritten by the distributed file. Files that do not exist in the target will be created. This strategy corresponds to the OVERWRITE mode in the backend.

Overwrite is the default because it gives the distributor control over the target without unintended side effects. We recommend this setting for most use cases.

Distribute Extra (Ignore Existing)

This is the least intrusive strategy. If a file with the same name and path already exists in the target, it will not be overwritten. Only files that do not already exist in the target will be created. This strategy corresponds to the IGNORE_EXISTING mode in the backend.

This strategy is useful if you do not want to accidentally modify existing files in the target.

Mirror (Clear Target and Replace)

This is the most intrusive strategy. It first erases the contents of the target area (e.g., /files, /home, /apps) completely and then copies the distributed objects into it. This ensures the target is an exact replica of the source. This strategy corresponds to the MIRROR mode in the backend.

"Mirror" is most useful when you want to guarantee that the target environment runs exactly as your source environment.

Skip

This strategy performs no action. The distribution for the specified object type (e.g., files, applications) is skipped entirely. This is useful in automated or conditional distribution scenarios where you may want to exclude certain object types from the process. This strategy corresponds to the SKIP mode in the backend.

Strategy summary

Strategy	Backend mode	Existing files in target	New files in target
Overwrite	OVERWRITE	Replaced	Created
Distribute Extra	IGNORE_EXISTING	Preserved	Created
Mirror	MIRROR	Erased before copy	Created
Skip	SKIP	No action	No action